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Gum Disease and Dentistry: What you need to know

Gum disease is the number one cause of tooth loss in adults. Most of the population don’t put too much thought on their bleeding or swollen gums until their mouth or teeth start to hurt when chewing, or when they become swollen and sensitive. If we want to live longer and healthier, we all should be educated on the implications of chronic gum disease on our bodies. Chronic gum disease is a chronic inflammatory periodontal disease that is the result of biofilm on our teeth. Biofilm is formed by certain oral bacteria. It can be visible like the plaque and tartar (calculus) that most of us know. The existence of biofilm can trigger destruction of the supporting gum and bone tissues. Because of the destruction, it triggers a wide range of immune responses, including the production and accumulation of white blood cells, as well as the production of the inflammatory mediators which are produced by our white blood cells and local gum tissues. As the inflammation persists, it becomes a chronic case and our adaptive immune response kicks in. The inflammatory mediators like cytokines, interleukins, and tumor necrosis factor will circulate around in our blood stream and trigger inflammatory reactions in other organs to start systemic inflammation. Chronic gum disease can definitely lead to many chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and Alzheimer’s disease.

In one sentence – gum inflammation can kill more than a smile.

Affinity Dental Care aims to provide wellness and holistic dentistry to our patients in Burlington, and to make patients aware of the strong relationship between oral health and systemic health. We know that the mouth is a significant source of the inflammation in our bodies. Periodontal disease has to be recognized and treated thoroughly. If this disease is left untreated, the damage could get worse. To treat chronic oral inflammatory disease, we need to do a thorough examination and review of medical and dental history. There are a few predisposing factors like tobacco use, existence of diabetes, obesity, obstructive sleep apnea, and high blood pressure, that need to be addressed as well. Once the periodontal disease is diagnosed, then a soft tissue management program would be co-created with our patients to address the issues – like teeth cleaning, scaling, curettage of inflamed tissues, gum surgery, and the application of antimicrobial agents.

We, as a dental clinic in Burlington, improve wellness by reducing inflammation, prioritizing oral and systemic health, and educating patients on making the best decisions for their overall health.

Affinity Dental Care offers a clean dental practice with a focus on hygiene. We are located in Burlington. Dental problems don’t go away on their own. If you need caring, expert treatment for a dental emergency or any other dental issues, call Affinity Dental Care at (289)-861-5111 to book an appointment.

     

    22 Jul, 2022

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