What is the #1 cause of tooth loss?

Did you guess cavities? If you did, you are not the only one. However, it is not the correct answer. Periodontal disease is the #1 leading cause of tooth loss. And leading research has linked periodontal disease with heart and respiratory diseases; pre-term, low birth weight babies; stroke; osteoporosis and diabetes.

Periodontal disease is a bacterial disease that continually decreases the supporting bone around your teeth, which then can lead to tooth loss. There are very common signs for this disease and one that you may often over-look. Bleeding gums are not normal and should be taken as a warning sign of disease. Just think…if you washed parts of your body and they just started bleeding, would you think that was normal? It is very important for you to be aware of the health of your gums before it leads to more serious problems.

There are several theories linking periodontal disease to heart disease and diabetes. It is thought that the bacteria in your mouth can enter your bloodstream and attach to fatty plaques in your heart blood vessels, contributing to clots. Heart disease is characterized by the thickening of vessel walls which then obstruct the flow of blood. Researchers have found that people with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease as those without periodontal disease.

We also know that people with diabetes are more likely to get periodontal disease than people without. And now, research has been suggesting that it is also the other way around. If someone has periodontal disease it is more difficult for them to control their blood sugar because it increases it. It is strongly suggested to have routine check-ups and careful examinations if you have diabetes.
 
Besides tooth loss, there are other very important reasons to prevent periodontal disease. According to an article in the Journal of American Dental Association in September 1997, periodontal disease can be passed to others. It is suggested that the disease causing bacteria can be passed through one’s saliva. Therefore, if one family member has the disease, it is recommended that other family members see a dentist to screen for periodontal disease.

 
Now is your chance to prevent a disease that is affecting many people’s lives. Get routine check-ups and maintain good oral health. Oral irrigators are great aids in treating and preventing periodontal disease. They are effective at removing food debris, germs, and bacteria that are not easily reached with a manual toothbrush. Take your first step in preventing periodontal disease.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 25th, 2009 at 10:04 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.