GUM DISEASE It’s one of the most common

GUM DISEASE WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS WIDESPREAD ORAL AILMENT  BY JESSICA ZIMMER

Gum disease is one of the primary causes of tooth loss but proper brushing, flossing, and good nutritional habits can help reduce damage to teeth. Dr. Rafat Razi, a pediatric dentist in Tracy, says to diagnose gum disease, a dentist clinically evaluates the mouth for any bone loss. “[We also offer] preventive care to patients and parents [including] routine cleanings, periodic exams, x-rays, and fluoride treatments,” Dr. Razi says. Dr. Page Hudson, a dentist with Children’s Choice Dental Care in Stockton, says his office provides dental cleanings, dental sealants, fluoride treatments, and oral hygiene instruction to help combat the issue. “These services all help to strengthen the teeth. [They] can help reduce harmful bacteria in the mouth,” Dr. Hudson says.

NOTICING GUM DISEASE

Gum disease often goes unnoticed, so a patient or parent should always give attention to hidden spaces in the mouth. The gums should be pink, firm, and relatively painless. An individual who is in pain should contact a dentist. Dr. Razi says there are two main types of gum disease. The first is gingivitis, which involves inflamed bleeding gums, and is reversible. The second is periodontitis, which is an advanced chronic form of gingivitis that involves bone loss and loss to the supporting tooth structures.

One of the best ways to prevent gum disease is to remove plaque, a sticky coating of proteins and food byproducts that forms on the teeth. Brushing at least twice a day, flossing daily, and avoiding certain foods helps. “Chewy or sticky foods loaded with sugars and carbohydrates... sodas, energy drinks, sports drinks increase...risk of gum disease,” Dr. Hudson says.

HOW DENTISTS HELP

A dentist helps a patient avoid gum disease by removing plaque and identifying root causes. At appointments, Dr. Razi performs a risk assessment for tooth decay and gum disease. “Many factors can contribute to gum health, such as predisposing factors [like] root anatomy, tooth position, crowding…[and] environmental factors, like medications and stress,” she says. Once the risk factors are identified, it’s easier to suggest preventive measures.

Hudson says to prevent gum disease, patients must stay vigilant. “It is only through constant daily oral hygiene, along with regular teeth cleanings by a dental professional, that you keep the numbers of bacteria down and prevent them from causing damage to the gums and bone,” Dr. Hudson says.

CONSULT A PROFESSIONAL:

KIDS CARE DENTAL

Offices in Stockton, Lodi, Manteca & Tracy (844) 616-5437 KidsCareDental.com

CHILDREN’S CHOICE DENTAL CARE

Stockton MyChildrensChoice.com

RAFAT S. RAZI, DMD, MPH

2160 W Grant Line Rd Suite 130, Tracy (209) 834-1307 RaziPediatricDentist.com

STOCKTON DENTAL CARE

2389 W March Ln #1, Stockton (209) 952-6721 DrLouieStocktonDentist.com

BY THE NUMBERS A 2012 Center for Disease Control Report found that in the U.S.:

ì 47.2 percentage of adults aged 30 and older with periodontal disease. ì 70.1 percentage of adults 65 years and older with periodontal disease ì Gum disease is more common in men (56.4 percent) than in women (38.4 percent) ì 64.2 the percentage of smokers with gum disease