How Gum Disease Can Impact Your Bones

The viral or fungal infection causes gum disease from minor illness to significant illness. It causes several effects on the bone. The leading cause associated with gum disease is osteoporosis, in which the healthy bone becomes weak, fragile, and more likely to break.

In advanced conditions, gum disease can cause the loss of teeth and reduced bone density. As time passes, the bone density can become so low that bones around the mouth and jaw become weak and brittle. 

Additionally, the increased infection of the bone around the gum leads to inflammation and bleeding such that the sufferers are unable to eat or speak. In the Bronx, Nishita Gandhi, DDS, can provide the best treatment for gum diseases. 

Maintenance of Oral Hygiene 

1. Diet– Consuming a diet enriched with calcium and vitamin D can maintain the strength of the tooth, and there will be no infection.
2. Smoking– People are advised not to smoke or else it will lead to the formation of leukoplakia. 

Causes 

Generally, periodontitis starts with plaque formation, and when this plaque advances, it leads to periodontitis. 

Its causes are as follows: 

1. Plaques are formed when sugar and starch in food react with bacteria. Brushing and flossing remove the plaques, but these are reformed rapidly. 
2. If this plaque hardens, it forms tartar (calculus). This is difficult to remove and is filled with bacteria. Treatment is required to get rid of tartar, as regular flossing and brushing cannot remove it. 
3. Plague can cause gingivitis (gingiva means gum). This can be reversed with treatment and good oral hygiene. 
4. Gingivitis can cause periodontitis, pockets develop between teeth and gums filled with plaque. With time the pockets get deeper and lead to loss of teeth.

Symptoms: 

1. Maintenance of low oral hygiene can lead to swelling of the gums.
2. Bleeding from the gum.
3. There will be a pus formation between the gums and teeth.
4. Pain while chewing.
5. Loss of teeth.

Treatment 

Non-surgical Method 

Treatment involves non-invasion of the skin: 

• Stalling– This method involves the removal of tartar and bacteria, which are present on the surface and beneath the gums. 
• Root planing– This method smoothens the surface and removes the bacterial substances, which result in inflammation and delay healing.

• Antibiotics- The antibiotics such as topical or oral methods are used for controlling the bacterial infection.

Surgical Method 

• Bone grafting- When periodontitis decays the bone surrounding the tooth root, the bone graft helps prevent tooth loss by holding the tooth in place.

To avoid any complications related to gum infection:

1. Maintain good oral hygiene.
2. Brush twice and floss once a day to prevent gums from disease.
3. If you observe any signs of infection or plaque infection, contact your dentist.