Severe periodontal disease (advanced gum disease) is a problem that affects as much as 15% of the adult population. While not one of the more common dental problems like tooth decay, advanced periodontal disease may actually be more dangerous to your long term health. Studies have consistently illustrated how dental health and heart disease problems are connected but few of us really take this threat as seriously as we should. Perhaps this is because advanced periodontal disease begins as gingivitis, a very mild form of the condition which has the following symptoms:

• Gums sore to the touch
• Bleeding may occur when brushing or eating hard foods like apples
• Halitosis
• Inflammation and/or reddening of gingival tissue

 

In all honesty, good oral hygiene may not be enough to prevent common dental problems like gum disease from becoming advanced periodontal disease. This is because even someone who brushes after every meal and flosses regularly may still have bad habits that encourage the growth of the bacteria responsible for gum disease problems. In particular, habits that affect the rate of salivation in your mouth may undermine even the best oral hygiene regimen.

 

Saliva plays a big role in the prevention of advanced periodontal disease since it contains high levels of oxygen and natural enzymes which limit the growth of the harmful bacteria responsible for many common dental problems-especially gum disease. Anything that lowers the level of saliva in your mouth or affects reduces the ability of the immune system to fight off bacteria will in fact increase your odds of developing advanced periodontal disease. Smoking or chewing tobacco products may in fact lead to gum disease for two reasons.

• One of the biggest reasons why smoking can lead to periodontal problems is because it will deprive your body of the very nutrients that are so vital to a strong immune system.
• With lower levels of saliva in the mouth, there is less protection against the bacteria when you are not brushing or flossing (which is the majority of the time because we spend relatively little time doing either). Even using a mouthwash may not be enough and can in fact make things worse because it may be made from alcohol, another cause of dehydration and dry mouth.

 

Smoking, because it affects both the immune system and salivation rates, literally triples your chances of developing advanced periodontal disease when compared to a non-smoker. However, there are other behaviors/bad habits that also lower salivation rates and put you at increased risk, including:

• Drinking alcohol (as mentioned above, so this includes the use of mouthwashes made with alcohol)
• Use of stimulants or anything that increases metabolism
• Excessive exercise
• Improper hydration

 

Preventing severe periodontal disease is definitely not as simple as taking care to brush and floss every day but your chances are pretty good when you also take care to properly hydrate and avoid depleting your immune system. Adding in an all natural toothpaste that doesn’t dry out your mouth will assist your body in fighting off the bacteria that causes periodontal disease.