Gum disease NYC risk factors: what you need to know for healthy gums

How old are you?
The chance of developing gum or periodontal disease increases considerably as you get older. Studies indicate that older people have the highest rates of periodontal disease and need to do more to maintain good oral health. However, as you read ahead, if you are a young patient (under 40 years old) and have any of the risk factors, you may have more serious dental problems that will worsen with time and require professional treatment in a timely way.

Are you female or male?
Studies suggest there are genetic differences between men and women that affect the risk of developing gum disease. While women tend to take better care of their oral health than men do, women's oral health is not markedly better than men's. This is because hormonal fluctuations throughout a woman's life can affect many tissues, including gum tissue.

Do your gums ever bleed?
Bleeding gums can be one of the signs of gum disease. Think of gum tissue as the skin on your hand. If your hands bled every time you washed them, you would know something was wrong. However if you are a smoker, your gums may not bleed, and therefore, “hide” the severity of your condition.

Are your teeth loose?
Periodontal (gum) disease is a serious inflammatory disease that is caused by a bacterial infection, and leads to destruction of the attachment fibers and supporting bone that hold your teeth in your mouth. When neglected, teeth can become loose and fall out. Loose teeth, even though nothing hurts, are a sign of periodontal or gum disease.

Have your gums receded, or do your teeth look longer?
One of the warning signs of gum disease includes gums that are receding or pulling away from the teeth, causing the teeth to look longer than before.

Do you smoke or use tobacco products?
Studies have shown that tobacco use may be one of the most significant risk factors in the development and progression of periodontal disease. Smokers are much more likely than non-smokers to have calculus form on their teeth, have deeper pockets between the teeth and gums, and lose more of the bone and tissue that support the teeth. And yet, smokers may have no signs or symptoms of gum disease because the smoke masks the underlying problems.

Have you seen a dentist in the last two years?
Daily brushing and flossing will help remove bacterial plaque and even keep calculus formation to a minimum, but it won't prevent gum disease or calculus from forming. A professional dental cleaning at least twice a year is necessary to remove calculus from places your toothbrush and floss may have missed. If you are prone to gum disease, more frequent professional cleanings will help maintain your periodontal condition.

How often do you floss?
Studies demonstrate that including flossing as part of your oral care routine can actually help reduce the amount of gum disease-causing bacteria found in the mouth, therefore contributing to healthy teeth and gums. Brushing, alone, will not keep your mouth and gums healthy.

Do you currently have any of the following health conditions?
i.e. Heart disease, osteoporosis, osteopenia, high stress, or diabetes
Ongoing research suggests that periodontal disease may be linked to these conditions. The bacteria associated with periodontal disease can travel into the blood stream and pose a threat to other parts of the body. Healthy gums may lead to a healthier body. High stress levels release hormones into the bloodstream that act as “food” for the bacteria that cause gum disease. When you are under stress, you are “feeding” the problem.

Have you ever been told that you have gum problems, gum infection or gum inflammation?
Over the past decade, research has focused on the role chronic inflammation may play in various diseases, including periodontal or gum, disease. Data suggests that having a history of periodontal disease makes you six-times more likely to have future periodontal problems. Periodontal disease is often silent, meaning symptoms may not appear until an advanced stage of the disease.

Have you had any adult teeth extracted due to gum disease?
Most gum problems are generalized among a number or teeth, and are not isolated to a single tooth. For this reason, if you have lost a tooth to gum disease, the likelihood exists that you have a gum condition that needs to be treated, even if nothing hurts or you are unaware of any symptoms.

Have any of your family members had gum disease?
Research suggests that the bacteria that cause periodontal disease can pass through saliva, and remain on your toothbrush. For this reason, it is unwise to share toothbrushes. Individuals with advanced gum problems should be aware that they can transmit this to another family member through their saliva. Also, research proves that up to 30% of the population may be genetically susceptible to gum disease. Despite aggressive oral care habits, these people may be six times more likely to develop periodontal disease.

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a silent disease. It is chronic, much in the way diabetes, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases are, and as such, must be treated, contained, and monitored by a dental professional. Except in extreme instances, early intervention will help an individual save their teeth in comfort and good function when suffering gum disease in NYC.

Periodontist NYC - Second opinion for your dental health: is it time?

Few dental patients ever request a second opinion about their oral/dental health from another dentist when they seemingly have no dental emergencies or are unaware of any existing dental problems. But how do they know that their dental care is what it should be? Gum disease is chronic and silent. It creeps up on us without any advanced warning. And while our fillings may look good, do they fit properly?

Here are some guidelines for evaluating your present dentist and your dental care:

1. Are medical histories are updated?

2. Are cancer/cavity (caries or dental decay) checks are performed?

3. Are digital x-rays are used (less radiation than traditional film)?

4. Are bite wing X-rays taken for dental decay are taken periodically/is a lead apron used when X-rays taken/are full mouth sets of X-rays taken every few years?

5. Does your dentist/hygienist perform a periodontal exam with a millimeter probe to measure "pockets" on a routine basis?

6. Are oral hygiene techniques are reviewed and modified as needed/diet and nutrition discussed as they apply to caries and oral health?

7. If you have periodontal pockets and bleeding, are you told this is okay? Not to worry?

8. Do you know about the systemic links between gum disease and cardiovascular, stroke, pulmonary, etc.?

9. Are disposable products apparent in the treatment room? Are they used frequently?

10. Are OSHA protocols followed such as covering all surfaces with disposable plastic products?

11. Do you have frequent emergencies and have restorations that need replacing “too” often?

12. Are you emergency visits accommodated in a timely way?

13. Does the staff function smoothly with the doctor? Themselves?

14. Are treatment options always presented when dental care is required; are procedures explained and are you asked to give informed consent (this can take different forms)?

15. Does your family dentist utilize dental specialists for advanced problems?

16. Does the office looks clean and orderly?

17. Are new technologies introduced to the office as they are proven beneficial? Examples: implants, bleaching teeth.

18. 3D CT imaging for most dental implant cases

When to question your dentist:

1. When they don't follow most of the above guidelines.

2. When fillings continuously break.

3. When crowns continuously fall out.

4. When a patient goes to the dentist on a regular basis and is told one day (out of the blue) that their periodontal disease is advanced, surgery is needed, and teeth many need to be removed after never having been made aware of a problem beforehand. Periodontal disease takes years to form; it does not occur overnight.

5. When gums bleed all the time and patient is told that this is "normal".

6. When a patient is told that it's normal to "lose" teeth.

7. When treatment options are not discussed.

8. When a family does not use specialist for advanced problems.

9. When a patient experiences frequent emergencies without resolution or suitable consultations.

10. When dental implants are not discussed as an option to replace a missing tooth or an existing bridge that has to be remade.

11. When a dentist is unaware or does not use 3D CT technology for dental implant insertion

Gum Disease: Who treats it? Periodontist, GP, or Hygienist?

So you tell your dentist your gums bleed when you brush. Or your hygienist, during a routine cleaning, finds a gum pocket. Which dental professional should treat your gum disease? Your dentist? The hygienist? What about a periodontist? The fact is that most dentists and hygienists are extremely capable of treating early gum disease and periodontal pockets...and they should tackle these problems.

When do these problems require intervention by a specialist? This question is best answered by the generalist. They often refer patients to periodontists (gum specialists) when pocket depths and bone loss appear excessive to what is considered the “norm.” Young people with advanced periodontal disease tend to be referred sooner than older patients whose disease has taken decades to form and no tooth appears in jeopardy of being lost.

What about the others? Patients with modest bone loss and/or deep gum pockets that don’t hurt? Do they require the skills of a periodontist? (Dental specialists are required to take three years of advanced training beyond dental school). The best way for a patient to get the best treatment is to, perhaps, simply ask how the would treat your condition if you were a family member.