If you have periodontal disease (gum disease), you're not alone. About 80 percent of U.S. adults currently have some form of periodontal disease (gum disease).

Periodontal disease can range from simple gum inflammation, called gingivitis, to serious gum disease that result in damage to the bone.

Untreated gingivitis can lead to periodontitis (gum disease) where the gums pull away from the teeth and form pockets that are infected. If not treated, the bones, gums and connective tissue that support the teeth are destroyed. Periodontal disease (gum disease) is the leading cause of adult tooth loss.

The Good News about Periodontal Disease (Gum Disease)

Most people can reverse periodontal disease (gum disease), with daily brushing and flossing and seeing their dentist regularly.

Fighting Periodontal Disease (Gum Disease) 

Most people can reverse periodontal disease (gum disease), with daily brushing and flossing and seeing their dentist regularly.

Another important step in the fight against periodontal disease is correcting the many myths regarding periodontal disease.

FALLACY: Cavities are the number-one cause of tooth loss

FACT: Periodontal disease is the number-one cause of tooth loss. According to the 1996 American Dental Association/Colgate survey, U.S. dentists say gum disease is a more pressing oral health concern than tooth decay by a 2-to-1 margin.

FALLACY: Tooth loss is a natural part of aging

FACT: With good oral hygiene and regular professional care, your teeth are meant to last a lifetime. However, if left untreated, periodontal (gum) disease can lead to tooth loss. Periodontal disease (gum disease) is the primary cause of tooth loss in adults 35 and over. For some people it may be necessary to add additional cleanings (every three months for example instead of every 6 months) to reduce plaque buildup and prevent periodontal (gum) disease.

FALLACY: People who have gum disease are "dirty" and don't brush their teeth

FACT: Research proves that up to 30% of the population may be genetically susceptible to periodontal disease (gum disease) despite aggressive oral care habits. Emerging research confirms that people genetically susceptible to periodontal disease (gum disease) may be up to 600% more likely to develop periodontal disease (gum disease). By treating the signs of periodontal disease (gum disease) as early as possible can help minimize any potential health complications and can help people keep their teeth for a lifetime.

FALLACY: Periodontal disease (gum disease) is a minor infection

FACT: Periodontal disease (gum disease) is NOT a minor infection and should NOT be taken lightly. The mass of tissue in the oral cavity is equivalent to the skin on your arm that extends from the wrist to the elbow. Periodontal disease (gum disease) can lead to many health problems including: heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, diabetes, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (head and neck cancer), respiratory diseases, preterm and at a minimum tooth loss. As a minimum, tooth loss will lead to a very different lifestyle-dentures. Tooth loss can result in changes in your appearance, like teeth shifting, jaw reshaping, bad breath, reduced ability to chew food. These changes can be dramatic.

FALLACY: Gum disease doesn't affect overall health

FACT: Emerging research links periodontal disease to many health problems including: heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, diabetes, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (head and neck cancer), respiratory diseases, preterm, and low birth weight babies.

FALLACY: Periodontal disease (gum disease) affects all races and ethnicities equally

FACT: While periodontal disease (gum disease) can affect anyone, certain races and ethnicities are at greater risk than others. According to recent research in the Journal of Periodontology Mexican Americans and African Americans are much more likely to develop periodontal disease (gum disease) than people of European descent. While the reason for this increased risk for Periodontal disease (gum disease) is not known, it may be due to the frequency of dental visits or different inflammatory responses in different ethnicities. Additionally, a periodontal disease (gum disease) study from the New York University College of Dentistry found that of all recent U.S. immigrants, those who come from Puerto Rican, Indian, or Haitian backgrounds were much more likely to have periodontal disease (gum disease) than immigrants of other backgrounds, possibly due to variance in diet and susceptibility to the oral bacteria that causes gum disease.

FALLACY: Bleeding gums are normal

FACT: Bleeding gums are not normal. Bleeding gums are one of nine warning signs of periodontal disease (gum disease). Other signs of gum disease include: red, swollen or tender gums;  gums that have pulled away from the teeth; persistent bad breath; sores in your mouth; pus between the teeth and gums (leaving bad breath); loose or separating teeth; a change in the way the teeth fit together; and a change in the fit of partial dentures.

FALLACY: Periodontal disease is easy to identify, even in its early stages, so my general dentist would tell me if I had it during my dental check ups

FACT: Millions of people don't know they have periodontal disease (gum disease), a serious infection that can lead to tooth loss if not treated. Often periodontal disease is not reported by general dentists. You should always get involved in your dental care, so that problems are detected in the early stages. You should inform your dentist if any signs of gum disease are present; or if any changes in your overall health or medications occurred in between visits. Most importantly, you should ask your dentist to evaluate your gums with pocket/gum measurements at least once a year, and at greater frequencies if you are prone to periodontal disease (gum disease) or are experiencing periodontal disease (gum disease).

FALLACY: Because periodontal disease (gum disease) is a bacterial infection, antibiotics can be used to treat it

FACT: Research demonstrates that antibiotics can be a helpful adjunct to treating periodontal disease (gum disease), but is not a solution for eradicating periodontal disease (gum disease). The use of antibiotics can assist in the treatment of periodontal disease (gum disease) and can be used as part of a periodontal disease (gum disease) treatment plan, which may also include increased cleanings, flossing, more frequent (or improvement) in teeth brushing techniques, (gum disease) and other possible periodontal disease (see below).

FALLACY: Teeth Cleaning will stop periodontal disease (gum disease)

FACT: While frequent teeth cleaning, proper brushing and flossing can reduce help fight periodontal disease (gum disease), sometimes large pockets or advanced periodontal disease (gum disease) may require other periodontal disease (gum disease) treatment methods like scaling and root planning (aka "deep cleanng". Scaling iis the most common and conservative form of treatment for periodontal (gum) disease). It is the removal of calculus (tartar) and plaque below the gum line, along the root. Root planing removes any remaining calculus and smoothes irregular areas of the root surface. Other periodontal disease (gum disease) include: Pocket Reduction Procedures (reduced gum pocket size to prevent plague build up below the gum line not easily cleaned and can accelerate gum disease, bone and subsequent tooth loss), Osseous Surgery (a type of surgery that reshapes the bone that holds one or more teeth in place), Gingivectomy (the removal of gum tissue (gingiva) by surgery), Gingivoplasty (a type of gum surgery used to reshape healthy gum tissue around teeth). Soft Tissue Grafts (Soft tissue grafts are designed to cover exposed roots, to reduce further gum recession and to protect vulnerable roots from decay), Bone Grafts (used to recreate bone and soft supporting tissues lost due to gum disease), etc.

FALLACY: All teeth cleanings are the same

FACT:  All teeth cleanings are not the same. Teeth cleanings provided by periodontal specialists can address specific needs to patients suffering from different stages of periodontal disease. Special care can be taken when cleaning near dental implants (special tools are needed), gum pockets can be reevaluated and when needed, deep cleaning below the gum line can be performed. While non-surgical therapies such as regular cleanings and scaling can address many periodontal issues, they do have limitations. When non surgical gum disease treatments do not achieve periodontal health, periodontal surgery may be indicated to restore periodontal anatomy damaged by periodontal diseases and to facilitate oral hygiene practices.

FALLACY: Drinking water is not important to oral health

FACT: Drinking water is important to oral health. The bacterium that causes gum disease also causes dry mouth and mouth odor. This bacterium also thrives in a dry environment, so if you do not stay hydrated the health of your teeth, gums, bone and soft tissues of the mouth are at risk. Regardless of what is causing your case of dry mouth, the most important thing to do is stay hydrated. Drinking enough water will help fight bad breath and help stop disease causing bacteria from having a happy environment.

FALLACY: Periodontal disease (gum disease) treatment is painful

FACT: There are many types of periodontal treatment procedures. New periodontal treatment procedures include local anesthesia and over-the-counter medications, which have made patients' treatment experiences pleasant and comfortable. Most patients undergoing periodontal treatment procedures are back to normal routines on the same day or by the next day.

FALLACY: Once teeth are lost due to periodontal disease, the only treatment options are crowns, bridges or dentures.

FACT: In recent years there have been great advances in the area of dental implants; permanent tooth-replacement option for teeth lost to trauma, injury or periodontal disease. Dental implants are so natural-looking, and feeling that many patients forget they ever lost a tooth, and if cared for properly, can last a lifetime.

About the Author Jeff Behar

Jeff Behar, MS, MBA