Periodontal disease, also known as "gum disease," is a chronic bacterial infection that damages the gums and bone supporting the teeth. It is a very serious disease that can result in tooth loss, but it is generally painless, so you might not even know you have it. Normally, your bone and gum tissue should fit snugly around your teeth, like a turtleneck around your neck. When you have periodontal disease, this supporting tissue and bone is destroyed, forming "pockets" around the teeth. Over time, these pockets become deeper, providing a larger space for the bacteria to live. As bacteria develop around the teeth, they can accumulate and advance under the gum tissue. These deep pockets collect even more bacteria, resulting in further bone loss and tissue loss. Eventually, too much bone is lost and the teeth need to be extracted. Additionally, research links periodontal infection to more serious problems, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and pre-term, low-birth-weight babies. As ongoing research continues to define how periodontal disease is linked to these and other health problems, good oral health is essential. Tobacco Use and Periodontal Disease Whether you smoke cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or dip or chew tobacco, you are more likely to have periodontal disease than those who do not use any form of tobacco at all. Smoking may be responsible for more than half of the cases of periodontal disease among adults in the United States, according to a study published in the Journal of Periodontology (JOP). The study found that current smokers are about four times more likely than people who have never smoked to have advanced periodontal disease. Many chemicals found in tobacco, such as nicotine and tar, may have harmful effects on the periodontal tissues. One study even found that current smokers had more plaque and periodontal destruction than former or never smokers. As a result, tobacco users may be more likely 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. Loss of bone and tissue may potentially cause tooth loss. Research shows that smokers lose more teeth than nonsmokers. According to data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, only about 20 percent of people over age 65 who have never smoked are toothless, while a whopping 41.3 percent of daily smokers over age 65 are toothless. If you're a smokeless tobacco user, you're not out of harm's way. In fact, you are also at greater risk of having more severe and rapidly progressing periodontal disease, as well as receding gums. And, when gums recede to the point where the tooth roots are exposed, teeth may become more susceptible to root cavities or sensitive to cold and touch - not to mention the fact that the chances for developing oral cancer increase with smokeless tobacco use. For long-time users, the risk is much greater, making the use of snuff or chewing tobacco among young people a special concern. Finally, for smokers, the good news is oral health will begin to improve once you quit smoking. The JOP study showed that 11 years after quitting, former smokers' likelihood of having periodontal disease was not significantly different from those who never smoked. This is definitely an incentive to quit smoking, and the sooner you quit, the better off your oral health will be. If you are a tobacco user, remember the problems that occur with tobacco use, including oral cancer, bad breath, stained teeth, tooth loss, bone loss, loss of taste and smell, less success with periodontal treatment and dental implants, mouth sores, and facial wrinkling. Be aware that periodontal disease is an infection that is not just a major cause of tooth loss, but is also linked to increased risk of heart disease, stroke, poorly controlled diabetes, respiratory disease and premature babies. Supportive Periodontal Maintenance Therapy Once you've been diagnosed with and treated for periodontal disease, Supportive Periodontal Maintenance Therapy enables you to gain control of the disease and increases your chances of keeping your natural teeth. Periodontal Maintenace is specialized treatment to protect your foundation for good oral health - the gums and bone that support your teeth. This treatment is different from traditional 6-month cleanings from your general dentist, which help protect the health of your teeth. During your visit, we will update your medical and dental histories to note any factors that may influence your periodontal health and treatment effectiveness. In addition to a dental examination, a thorough periodontal evaluation is performed. Harmful bacterial plaque and calculus are then removed. We will also review your at-home oral hygiene routine and may suggest modifications tailored to your condition. If new or recurrent disease is identified, additional periodontal treatment may be recommended. Maintenance appointments are a way for you to protect your oral health. This regular treatment helps to prevent or minimize the recurrence or progression of periodontal disease. If the disease returns, careful monitoring increases the likelihood of locating it and treating it in a timely manner - before tooth-threatening bone loss becomes uncontrollable. Periodontal Medicine The practice of Periodontal Medicine explores the complex tie between Periodontal Disease and diseases affecting other parts of the body. This relatively new focus links periodontal disease to many other conditions present today, including heart disease, respiratory disease, diabetes, pregnancy, puberty, osteoporosis, bleeding disorders, and ulcers. In addition to phyical conditions, there is also a relationship between periodontal disease and many common medications, including oral contraceptives, hormones, and blood pressure medicines. Our office utilizes the patient's complete medical history in diagnosing and treating periodontal disease.