3 Things You May Not Have Known About Gum Disease

When talking about oral health, dentists often run into people who consider it tedious. Gum disease is a good example—many people’s eyes start to glaze over if you even begin to discuss the subject.

However, periodontal illness is actually remarkably complex. There are entire fields of study devoted to fully understanding it and its ramifications. There’s also a lot about this very common condition that people do not know, but really ought to. Here are just some examples.

Gum Disease is Remarkably Common

The nature of gum disease is that it comes on slow, which means that many people who are afflicted with the condition don’t even know that they have it. As a consequence, people often underestimate the prevalence of the condition.

Around 50% of adults have gum disease, and that number only gets higher as the test sample gets older. Giving its startling commonality, it’s important for people of any age to be considerate of how well they’re taking care of their gums.

Gum Disease is Connected to Many Different Issues

It can be easy to think about the mouth as being disconnected from the rest of the body, but there are quite a few instances where oral problems can manifest broader health issues.

For example, gum disease has been demonstrated to cause the blood sugar to spike, which could put you at risk for diabetes. It’s also been tied to an increase chance of cardiovascular illness, like heart disease. The reasons for these connections are complicated, and understanding the complex relationship between bacteria in the mouth and other parts of the body is part of why dentists study gum disease so intensely.

Gum Disease Isn’t Usually Treated with Antibiotics

Gum disease is causes by an excess of bacteria in the mouth, which naturally suggests that antibiotics are the core treatment for it. While they’re used occasionally, the first-line treatment for the condition is much simpler—deep cleaning. By clearing out plaque and tartar deposits, your dentist can substantially reduce gum disease’s impact on your body. Good news for people who aren’t the biggest fan of taking antibiotics, but who’d still like to get their oral health into shape.

About the Author

Dr. Justin Braga has spent the last 15 years honing his skills as a clinician, and he is deeply proud both of his skills and the relationships he’s been able to form with his patients. The work of a periodontist is enormously rewarding for him, and he loves being able to help someone actually “grow” back bone and soft tissue. Dr. Braga received his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of the Pacific in San Francisco and specialized in periodontics at the University of Southern California, where he is presently a Clinical Associate Professor.

If you have any questions about gum disease, he can be reached at his website or by phone at (714) 587-9094.