Hi everyone!

Today I was interviewed by Reverend Roland Colwell of the Burnette Inspirational Ministry on Warren in Detroit for his public access cable show, "Talking With Caldwell". The subject of the interview was dental and oral health as it relates to dental care and dentistry. (I also had the opportunity to attend their Sunday morning service and meet some wonderful people!) During the interview, Reverend Colwell asked me about the signs of gum disease and it was apparent that the public has been poorly informed by the dental profession about this important topic. I have chosen to make this the subject of this blog.

Bleeding gums are the most obvious sign of gum disease (gingivitis or periodontitis). By the time you notice that your gums are bleeding , the disease may already have been present for some time. It is not unusual for us to hear, “My gums have always bled like this,” but treatment is not sought because it is considered "normal". However if our eyes started to bleed when we washed our faces or our nail beds bled when we washed our hands we would most likely be alarmed and rush to seek medical treatment! Bleeding gums are neither normal or healthy. Luckily, in early stages (gingivitis) the disease is fairly easy to treat and is reversible. When the disease has progressed past the bleeding gum stage, you may notice some pain, gum recession, loosening of teeth, and bad breath. If you have ignored your bleeding gums (possibly the earliest sign of gum disease) because you think it is normal to have a little “pink” on your toothbrush, you will likely have additional symptoms and conditions associated with disease progression. At this point the bone and gum support for the teeth may be permanently damaged and left untreated you can loose your teeth. Tooth loss is not a sign of aging but is a preventible disease (pathology) . In addition to tooth loss, you cannot be healthy physically with an infected mouth. Gum disease is associated with diabetes, heart attack and strokes. (For more information see my blog of September 7th, 2008.)

Don’t wait for the warning signs of gum disease to occur before you schedule your dental examination or hygiene appointment. We are here to help you and welcome your comments and questions.

That’s all for today, and much thanks to Reverend Caldwell, Quentella Caldwell, and all the other nice folks I met today!

Until next time,

Mark W Langberg, DDS, MAGD

Hi everyone!

Today’s blog is about the recently publicized link between gum disease (periodontitis) and such illnesses as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and pneumonia. The agent of this connection is a spillover of bacteria and inflammatory agents from the mouth into the bloodstream and then on to the rest of the body.

Diabetes diminishes the function of our immune system and also affects circulation so it can restrict blood flow to the gums as well. This provides ideal conditions for periodontitis to occur. In addition, the bacteria and inflammatory from the periodontitis are released into the bloodstream to travel elsewhere in the body where the diabetes compromised immune system is also ill equipped to handle them. Research has shown that treating gum disease can improve blood sugar control in diabetics, in fact some insurances like Blue Cross or Delta Dental are paying additional periodontal treatment benefits for diabetics.

Gum disease also increases your risk of heart and coronary artery disease. Folks with high levels of some oral bacteria have thicker carotid arteries, a predictor of heart attack and stroke, and it has been shown that people who have angina and heart attacks have higher levels of certain oral bacteria. These oral bacteria provoke inflammation which increases levels of white blood cells and C-reactive protein, which has been linked to heart disease. A New England Journal of Medicine study found that treatment of periodontal disease was linked to improved circulation.

Poor oral hygiene and gum disease has been shown to contribute to fatal pneumonias in hospitals and nursing homes. In these settings, poor oral hygiene fosters the buildup of bacteria so a patient on a respirator, for instance, is susceptible to breathing those bacteria, causing infection.

There is good evidence to support the assertion that healthy gums will literally add years to your life, as well as enhance the quality of the years you have. It is NEVER too late to start taking care of your mouth and you should know that bleeding gums are NEVER a good thing and are NOT normal! We are here to help you with the latest treatments for gum disease which both predictable and comfortable. Remember, HEALTHY GUMS DO NOT BLEED!

Well, that’s enough for today. Thanks for reading!

Until next time,

Mark W Langberg, DDS, MAGD

“Talking With Caldwell” about Gum Disease

Gum Disease and your General Health