Periodontal Disease

All the different types of periodontal disease can get confusing. We want to help you make sense of it all.

• Gingivitis: Extremely common, gingivitis is mild and easily reversible. It may have no symptoms, but it often causes bleeding, swelling, and redness of the gums.
• Aggressive Periodontitis: Usually attacking patients who are otherwise healthy, aggressive periodontitis rapidly destroys bone and causes the loss of attachment.
• Chronic Periodontitis: As gum disease progresses, it may become chronic periodontitis. The difference between aggressive periodontitis and chronic periodontitis is that attachment and bone loss occur more slowly with chronic periodontitis.
• Periodontitis and Systemic Diseases: Periodontitis may be the result of systemic diseases such as diabetes.
• Necrotizing Periodontal Diseases: Necrosis cause lesions on the gum tissue. This form of periodontal disease results most often from systemic problems including malnutrition and HIV infection.

Studies show a strong connection between gum disease and other health problems including heart disease, respiratory disease, pregnancy complications, and diabetes. If you’re suffering from gum disease, treating this condition will not only lead to a healthier mouth, but a healthier body as well.

Common diseases that have been associated with gum disease include:

Diabetes: Research has shown that people with diabetes have an increased likelihood of having or developing periodontal disease. Gum disease can contribute to increased blood sugar levels, making it harder to control diabetes. When a person with diabetes sees an increase in blood sugar levels, it can lead to a number of other complications. Additionally, diabetes contributes to the development of gum disease by making it harder for the mouth to cleanse itself, leaving sugars in the mouth to increase bacteria that lead to gum disease.

Heart Disease: There are two different theories about how gum disease contributes to heart disease. The first theory is that the same oral bacteria that cause gum disease can enter the bloodstream and attach to the coronary arteries, contributing to the formation of blood clots and causing the narrowing of the arteries that can lead to a heart attack. The second theory is that the plaque buildup caused by gum disease inflammation can lead to swelling in the arteries.

Pregnancy Complications: The hormone fluctuations common in women contribute to an increased risk of gum disease, especially during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. Gum disease can have serious negative effects on pregnant women and their babies, increasing the risk for preeclampsia, low birth weight, and premature delivery.

Respiratory Disease: The bacteria linked with periodontal disease can also make respiratory conditions such as pneumonia, emphysema, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) worse. When you breathe, these bacteria can be inhaled into the respiratory system, contributing to infection. Research has shown possible links between COPD and periodontitis. Inflammations in the gums can also aggravate inflammations in the lungs such as pneumonia. Part of the problem is that people with chronic respiratory problems also have weakened immune systems, making them more sensitive to problems caused by gum disease bacteria.

Do you have questions or concerns about gum disease and its relation to your overall health? Contact us. We will gladly help you better understand how optimum oral health contributes to a healthy body.

Dr. Patel serves the areas of Aliso Viejo, as well as Mission Viejo, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Laguna Beach, and more. We are happy to help you attain your healthiest smile.