Blog
Health Canada comments on gum disease
June 30, 2008
The health of your gums and teeth is important to your overall health, well-being, and appearance. At its most serious, gum disease can cause pain, abscesses, difficulty in eating, bad breath, and a loss of teeth.
There is a strong link between gum disease and diabetes. People with diabetes are not only more at risk of gum disease, but gum disease can also affect the severity of their diabetes, putting them more at risk of diabetic complications later on in life.
The same bacteria found in plaque can also be inhaled into the lungs where they may cause an infection or aggravate any existing lung condition, especially in older adults. This can happen even if you don't have serious gum disease, but have lots of plaque.
Studies are also examining whether pregnant women with gum disease, including gingivitis, may be at a higher risk of delivering pre-term, low birth weight (PLBW) babies than women without gum disease. Even though this research is still ongoing, it remains important for pregnant women to take care of their gums and teeth.
Risk Factors for Gum Disease
In addition to plaque, there are several factors that can increase your risk of developing gum disease. They include:
- Smoking. In addition to increasing your risk of many serious illnesses such as cancer, lung disease, and heart disease, smoking also increases your risk of gum disease.
- Hormonal changes. Women are especially at risk of gum disease during times of hormonal change such as during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause.
- Nutrition. A poorly-balanced diet can increase your risk of developing gum disease.
- Medications. Some drugs may increase your risk of gum disease, such as birth control pills and high blood pressure and arthritis medications.
Minimizing Your Risk
The most important steps you can take to maintain healthy gums and teeth are to care for your teeth and have regular dental checkups.
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day to remove plaque, and floss once a day. An antimicrobial mouth rinse can also be used in combination with brushing and flossing to reduce the bacteria in your mouth. If you already have gum disease, brushing and flossing are even more important.
- See a dental professional regularly to have your teeth and gums checked. This professional will clean your teeth to remove tartar build-up.
- Check your gums and teeth on a regular basis to look for signs of gum disease. These may include:
- Red and swollen (puffy) gums
- Pain in the gum area
- Blood on your toothbrush or floss
- Persistent bad breath
- Loose teeth
- Teeth that have changed position during a short timeframe.
If you have any of these symptoms, see your dental professional right away.
- Quit smoking. See the Need More Info? section for some programs and strategies available to help you stop smoking. You will not only lower your risk of gum disease but lower your risk of developing many other diseases too.
- Eat a healthy diet by following Canada's Food Guide.
- Keep your dental professional informed of the medications you take.
Comments