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Gum (Periodontal) Disease and Tooth Decay: Definition
All tooth decay and gum disease are of bacterial origin. What is commonly referred to as dental disease is actually two separate diseases: tooth decay and gum disease. You can have one without the other or both simultaneously. The terms “gum disease” and “periodontal disease” are often used interchangeably, even though periodontal disease is much more destructive. Clinically speaking, gum and periodontal disease can be broken down into two categories: gingivitis, the initial and milder form of gum disease, and periodontitis, the more advanced and serious form that infects the bone surrounding your teeth. I will use these terms interchangeably.
The effect that gum disease has on overall health is directly related to the extent and duration of the infection. Moderate to advanced gum disease exposes the body to excessive amounts of harmful bacteria 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for as long as the infection is present. The stress this bacterial infection can place on the immune system is significant and it can dramatically reduce the body’s ability to fight other infections and diseases.
Causes of Gum Disease and Tooth Decay
While the basic cause of tooth decay and gum disease is poor oral hygiene (due mainly to a lack of patient education and/or motivation) other factors are involved. Diet, smoking, vitamin deficiency, genetics, and exposure to toxic substances, such as mercury from amalgam fillings, can also contribute to dental disease. The more advanced form of gum disease is far more harmful to overall health.
Certainly, tooth decay can affect one’s health and damaged or missing teeth can prevent proper chewing and thereby affect digestion. But while tooth decay can contribute to general health problems, its effects are considerably less than the effects of gum disease.
Dental Disease: An Epidemic
Dental disease is an epidemic. Ninety percent of the population suffers from some form of this disease. Between 30 and 50 percent of the population has periodontal disease, the most destructive form of dental disease.
Untreated, dental disease can lead to:
| Gum Disease |
Dental Abscesses |
Tooth Decay |
| Tooth Loss |
Bad Breath |
Unsightly Teeth |
| Root Canals |
Allergies |
Pain & Discomfort |
Anyone who has experienced any of the above dental problems can attest to the fact that they are no fun to deal with. But dental disease also generates a great deal of stress and over 50% of the population suffer some degree of fear and anxiety because of it. In addition, dental treatment can be very time consuming and expensive, especially when added up over a lifetime.
Effects of Gum Disease on Your Health
Of course all that is bad enough but the damaging effects of dental disease are not limited to the teeth and gums. It can and does negatively impact the overall health of the body. Yet, as destructive as dental disease can be, most people, including many dentists and physicians, still believe that the damage it does is limited to the oral cavity. But the fact is that numerous scientific studies no longer support that long-held assumption. We now know that gum disease can contribute to and increase the risk and severity of
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• heart attack;
• stroke;
• diabetes;
• low preterm birth weights;
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• respiratory disease;
• osteoporosis;
• digestive disorders; and
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It can also severely stress the immune system and lower the body’s resistance to infections. As you will read as you make your way through my Website, if you don’t address your existing oral health issues, especially gum disease, your overall health will continue to suffer.
“Overall Health Must Include Oral Health!”
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