A Closer Look at The Most Common Cause of Adult Tooth Loss

The American Academy of Periodontology states that despite progressive advancements in the periodontal therapy, periodontal disease still remains the most common cause of adult tooth loss. 

Our indepth understanding of this chronic disease will add insight to an easier prevention, better treatment of this disease and an improved ability for long-term maintenance of it. 

Some common questions that can be raised are :

1.  Question: I have no pain but I have been told I have gum disease? Can I have gum disease when there is no pain?  

1. Answer: Gum disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the gum disease and the underlying bone and ligaments that protect and hold the tooth in place.   Since Periodontal Disease is not associated with pain it can remain silent for years and cause a lot of damage to the sorounding jaw tissues if it is not diagnosed.   Clinical exam and Radiographs are two important tools to diagnose gum disease.

2.  Question: I dont have a single cavity but I have been told I have gum disease?  Is that possible?  My diet is good and i brush 3 to 4 times a day!

2. Answer:   Both Decay and Periodontal Disease are caused by bacterial micro-organisms.   However, the bacteria that cause decay and periodontal disease are very different.   Thus,  sometimes in a perfectly virgin or untouched, undecay teeth there maybe mild to severe periodontal disease.  Most common places for periodontal disease to manifest itself is between the teeth and eventhough one may perfectly brush several times a day and have a dietary habit that is not conducive to having tooth decay the lack of cleaning between the teeth (lack of flossing) can lead to periodontal disease. 

3.  Question:  How prevalent is Periodontal Disease? 

3.  Answer: There is different levels of gum diease , however some studies have shown a prevalence   of as high as 80% or more of some degree of gum disease in the population. 

4.  Question:  What are some of the risk factors for gum disease?

4.  Answer:  Gum disease is usually mulitfactorial,  however these are some of the potential causative factors of gum disease: 
      a.  Tobacoo smoking or chewing
      b.  Systemic diseases such as diabetes, AIDs, leukocyte disorders, etc.
      c.  Some types of meication such as steroids, some anti-epileptic drugs,   cancer therapy drugs, some calcium channel blockers and oral contraceptives.
      d.   Bridges or crowns that no longer fit properly
      c.   crooked teeth
      e.   defective, broken down  fillings
      f.    pregnancy or use oral contraceptives
      g.   Genetic predisposition to "Periodontal Disease"

5.  Question:  What are some of the Warning signs:
  
5.  Answer:  Often times warning signs to the patient are either absent or hard to observe however these are some of the signs that may be associated when one has gum disease:
       a.  Gums that bleed easily
       b.  Red, swollen, tender gums
       c.  Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
       d.  Persistent bad breath or bad taste
       e.  Permanent teeth that are loose or separating
       f.  Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
       g.  Any change i the fit of partial denture
       h.   Gaps between the teeth or gums that are getting progressively bigger

Practice Early Prevention

We, at "Beverly Hills Periodontics" will give you all the tools to practice early prevention techniques.   Whether you are dealing with rampant decay, or you are facing a vicious type of gum disease, we as a team will give you the tools and knowlege to prevent or slow down its progression the best way possible.

Mouth & Body Connection
The connection between the health of the mouth and body has been shown in many different medical and dental journals.   Bleeding gums, loose teeth and visible root surfaces are not normal at any age.  These are usually signs of an infection called Periodontal (gum) disease.  Periodontal disease has been linked to many different severe health problems.   What this means is that an unhealthy mouth can worsen serious medical problems, like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.  There is even evidence of a smilimar connection between  the mouth and pregnancy as well as lung infections.   Thus, there is more than one reason to keep healthy gums and teeth.

Important Oral Hygiene Tips
The American Dental Association recommends brushing twice a day with a soft brush.  A rotating motion of brushing on the gum line is thought to be the least abrasive on the gums and most effective in plaque removal.   you dont need to apply heavy pressure while brushing.  Probably soft to medium pressure while brushing should be sufficient to remove all the plaque from the teeth.  If you have limited ability to move your hands and arms you may benefit from using an electric tooth brush.  In case you prefer using electric brushes we recommend  the rotating type electric brushes for the reasons described before.  Regardless of the type of toothbrush you use we recommend changing your brush every 3 months.  Clean between teeth daily with floss or other interdental brushes such as picks or proxy brushes.

If you are getting higher than normal amount of cavities in your mouth there are things you can do to break this cycle.  Some of the things you got to look at is if you have a dry mouth (xerostomia).   Our saliva is our body's natural defense mechanism against forming cavities by providing a buffering biochemical action that neutralizes the acid produced by bacteria that feed on sugary content diet in our mouth. Sometimes,  our body naturally does not make sufficient saliva or this could be the result of medications that cause dry mouth.  This can be discussed with your dentist so that salivary substitutes such as biotene rinses, etc. can be used.    Multiple snacks throughout the day will nourish the bacteria the sugar they need to do the damage.  Fewer number of snacks throughout the day and combining them into more nutritous diets containing less sugary ingredients also helps decrease cavities in our mouths.  Xylitol gums will help you produce more saliva which has an anticavity buffering action.  Depending on the category of decay you fall into your doctor may advice you to use over the counter flouridated mouthrinses such as "ACT" or may recommend a prescribed rinse that may have  higher content anticavity ingredients. 

Dentures
It is important to brush and clean your removable prosthesis such as your partial or complete dentures.   Bacteria can not only stick to your teeth,  they can also stick to these prosthesis.   Moreover, dentures need to be removed each night so that the gums can rejuvenate in the mean time.  lack of proper cleaning these prosthesis or their removal at least for a few hours a day will lead to the inflammation of the oral tissues. Ask your dentist regarding the solutions and devices  to use inorder to keep them clean periodically. 

Smoking
Research shows that people who smoke will loose more teeth in their life time  than ones who do not smoke.   Smoking is one of the leading causes of gum disease.  Evidence of gum disease is two to three times more in the smoker population, and the severity of gum disease is also higher in the smokers relative to the nonsmoker population.  Smoking acts by decreasing the power of the immune system that fights bacteria.  In addition via its vasoconstriction action it does not allow enough nutrients to be supplied to some key areas. Smoking, unfortunately adversely effects healing from periodontal treatment and dental implant success rates. There are many options for tobacco cessation available. Ask your dentist or doctor to help you choose a program that may be more helpful for you.

Dental Implant Surgery Beverly Hills

Dr. Peiman Soleymani received his doctorate in Dental Surgery from the UCLA School of Dentistry in 1997 and his degree in Periodontics and Dental Implantology from Oregon Health Sciences University in 2000. He became a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology in 2008.  He is an active member of the dental community for the past 12 years.

Dr. Soleymani has held teaching positions at the USC and UCLA Schools of Dentistry for over a decade.  Currently, he teaches and guides the third and fourth year dental students with their most complicated cases in the “Department of Advanced Treatment Planning” at UCLA School of Dentistry. 

Dr. Soleymani is a published academic and has conducted many research projects, most notably on the effects of nicotine on tissue healing and bone grafting. 

Dr. Soleymani maintains a private practice here in Beverly Hills, California and he lives with his wife in Los Angeles, California.  He enjoys playing soccer and he skies in the winter season. Dr. Soleymani has a passion for music and plays the guitar.