Change Your World Week Winter 2022 (Archived)

Periodontitis (gum disease) is a severe gum infection from bacteria causing damage to soft tissue. Without treatment it can destroy the bone that supports your teeth, causing loose teeth or even tooth loss. Periodontitis affects more that 47% of adults over the age of 30 in the U.S. That number jumps to 70% for adults 65 years and older. (Cleveland Clinic, 2020). 

The formation of dental biofilm( or dental plaque) consists of several steps. Dental plaque is a sticky film composed of bacteria. If plaque is left untreated; it can advance to periodontitis. 

• Plaque forms on your teeth when sugars and starches interact with bacteria that are found in your mouth. 
• Plaque hardens under your gumline into calculus (tartar) if not removed. Tartar is filled with bacteria which makes is hard to remove because it's a biofilm. (Biofilms are only able to be removed mechanically). Tartar cannot be removed by brushing and flossing, only a professional cleaning can remove it. 
• Plaque causes gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease. The beginning of periodontal disease, but this stage can be reversed by proper oral hygiene practices. 
• Periodontitis- pockets are formed between your gums and teeth that are filled with plaque, tartar and bacteria. These pockets can become deeper, filling with more bacteria in time. If not treated the infection causes loss of tissue and bone, and in time can put strain on your immune system. Periodontal disease can NOT be cured, only treated. 

https://www.woodyardperio.com/faqs/

• Good oral hygiene. That means brushing your teeth for two minutes at least twice daily — in the morning and before going to bed — and flossing at least once a day. Flossing before you brush allows you to clean away the loosened food particles and bacteria. 
• Regular dental visits. See your dentist or dental hygienist regularly for cleanings, usually every six to 12 months. If you have risk factors that increase your chance of developing periodontitis — such as having dry mouth, taking certain medications or smoking — you may need professional cleaning more often.

https://www.dentalcare.com/en-us/patient-education/patient-materials/manual-brushing-and-flossing

Periodontal Disease awareness is very important because of the effects it has not only orally, but throughout your entire body. People need the basics on where periodontal disease comes from and how to prevent it, because preventing it is so easy! 

In order to reach a wider variety of people, dental offices could have community dental days where the costs of exams and cleanings are low to bring in people who don't have insurance, or access to dental care. Doctors and hygienist can inform the patient about their oral hygiene and discuss what can happen if they see the patient's hygiene isn't the best. 

Here you will find a link to change.org to sign, that community day for dental offices in the United States, should be mandatory!

Petition · Low-Cost Dental Care · Change.org

Cleveland Clinic (November 2020). Periodontitis. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16620-periodontitis.

Dentalcare.com (2021). Manual Tooth Brushing and Flossing Technique. Retrieved from https://www.dentalcare.com/en-us/patient-education/patient-materials/manual-brushing-and-flossing. 

Mayo Clinic ( February 2020). Periodontitis. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/periodontitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354473. 

Woodyard Perio (2016). How Your Mouth Talks to Your Body. Retrieved from https://www.woodyardperio.com/faqs/.