By measuring and keeping track of the changes, a dentist is able to make the right recommendations for taking care of your teeth. It’s also helpful to know if a specialist might be needed. But the real question that you should be asking is, “Will I have enough bone to wear dentures? It’s possible for a person not to have enough of the nutrients they need—regardless of their weight. A person considered underweight may be missing iron, folate, or vitamin B12, for example. And research has found that individuals with obesity may have deficiencies in vitamin D3, B vitamins, and thiamine.
If you have suffered significant bone loss, you may need extensive bone grafting to increase the quantity of bone before implants can be placed. There are many reasons to maintain a healthy weight for your body type, including the fact that weight is often related to other health issues. One of those health issues is gum disease, also known as periodontal disease. Heart disease, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis are three examples of systemic diseases that cause inflammation that can worsen gums’ condition.
If you are experiencing issues with your gums such as bleeding, swelling, or tenderness, you may be suffering from periodontal disease. This common condition affects the gums and can lead to serious oral health problems if left untreated.
Periodontal disease is inflammation and infection of your gums and the bone that supports your teeth. It can be a result of poor hygiene, but some people are more prone to this type of infection. Symptoms may include bad breath, loose teeth and bleeding, swollen gums.
Research has also proven that gum disease has a direct impact on your overall health and well-being. There’s a link between gum disease and other health issues like heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Options include nonsurgical treatments to control bacteria and surgery to fix the tissues that support your teeth. If a tooth is loose, the best step is to have it extracted. However, gum disease will not disappear once the tooth is removed. Left untreated, periodontitis can continue to spread to other teeth, causing the loss of more teeth.
However, if it is left to develop, it can result in periodontitis, which weakens the supporting structures of the teeth. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Periodontitis can be stopped if caught and treated early enough. LANAP is a less-invasive alternative to traditional pocket reduction surgery. By Steven Lin, DDSSteven Lin, DDS, is a dentist, TEDx speaker, health educator, and author. You’ll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox.
As evidence that this is possible, researchers have shown that P. gingivalis is the most commonly found bacterial species in the coronary artery. In the future, scientists hope that targeting gingipain enzymes might help stop neurodegeneration in some people with Alzheimer’s disease. They have already designed a gingipain inhibitor, which they are testing in humans. In this study, the researchers paid particular attention to an enzyme produced by P. gingivalis called gingipain. They found that this protease was toxic to tau, another protein that plays a pivotal role in Alzheimer’s. Following on from that discovery, in a more recent study, researchers showed that P. gingivalis infection boosts the production of beta-amyloid in the brain.
What is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth. It is typically caused by poor oral hygiene habits that allow plaque to build up on the teeth and harden into tartar. This can lead to inflammation and infection of the gums, eventually causing them to pull away from the teeth and form pockets where bacteria can thrive.
How to Prevent and Treat Periodontal Disease
The best way to prevent periodontal disease is to practice good oral hygiene habits, including brushing and flossing regularly, as well as visiting your dentist for regular cleanings and check-ups. If you are already experiencing symptoms of gum disease, it is important to seek treatment from a dental professional as soon as possible. Treatment may involve deep cleaning procedures such as scaling and root planing, as well as antibiotics to combat the infection.
Don’t let periodontal disease go untreated. Take care of your gums and overall oral health to prevent further complications down the road.
