When the gums are problematic
© iStockphoto / ThinkstockWhen it comes to tooth problems, everyone immediately thinks of tooth decay. But it is not always holes that cause discomfort. Much more often, the gums bleed. Almost every adult watches it from time to time, few take it seriously. "Most people find it quite normal for the gums to bleed at one point or another," says Professor Dr. Jörg Eberhard from the Department of Prosthodontics of the Hannover Medical School (MHH). But bleeding can be a sign of gingivitis, or gingivitis. And that is more dangerous than previously thought.
Already mild inflammation of the gums increase the risk of arteriosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, as the surprising result of a joint study of the MHH clinics for dental prosthetics and cardiology and angiology. "If the gums bleed, bacteria and their products are washed out and get into the bloodstream," explains Privatdozent dr. Karsten Grote. In the study, increased values of an inflammatory marker, which also plays a role in myocardial infarction, could be measured in the blood of the subjects with gingivitis. "Even slight bleeding of the gums should not be ignored," says Jörg Eberhard.
Periodontitis can lead to tooth loss
In addition, gingivitis is a precursor to periodontitis (often mistakenly called periodontal disease). This also caused by bacteria inflammation is according to surveys of the Federal Medical Association after the age of 45, the most common cause of the loss of teeth. "The disease not only leads to irreversible damage of the periodontium, it affects the whole body," says Dr. Nicole Pischon, Commissioner of the Department of Periodontics and Synoptic Dentistry at the Charité in Berlin. "Studies have shown that patients with periodontitis are at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease."
First, the inflammation attacks the soft and hard tissue around the tooth. The affected gums are more prone to bleeding, it can fester, the teeth loosen up. "Studies have shown that gingivitis is also reflected in the blood," says periodontitis expert Pischon. "The bacteria from the mouth can penetrate into the vascular cells and into the bloodstream, causing considerable damage to distant organs."
For example, untreated periodontitis can promote relapses in patients with inflammatory rheumatism. In people with atherosclerosis, it increases the risk of an infarction. And osteoporosis patients must expect extra bone loss in the jaw area if they ignore gum problems. Even diabetics benefit from intensive periodontal treatment. "The value for long-term blood sugar is measurably improving," says Nicole Pischon. Conversely, poorly controlled diabetes is a risk factor for the development of periodontitis.
"Diabetics very often suffer from the metabolic syndrome, so they are overweight, have high cholesterol and high blood pressure," explains the expert. "In this context, periodontal disease is an additional risk factor." In advanced inflammation bacteria even penetrate into the respiratory tract. This is rarely a problem for healthy people. But in already weakened patients, the pathogens can cause pneumonia. Pregnant women should also pay attention to their oral hygiene: Studies in recent years indicate that untreated periodontitis can increase the risk of premature birth 7.5 times.
Periodontitis can flare up again and again
The ultimate goal of the therapy is to eliminate the bacteria and stop the inflammation. A first step is the thorough cleaning of the tooth and root surfaces as well as the periodontal pockets. Nicole Pischon: "We do this mainly with special handsets." If very deep pockets have already formed in the gums, the inflammation is clearly advanced. Then a surgical procedure may be necessary: The doctor gently loosens the gum line, removes diseased tissue and cleans the surfaces of the roots. Only in severe cases does he prescribe additional antibiotics.
Also important is a regular aftercare. Once a periodontitis has developed, it can flare up again and again. Still quite new is the problem of peri-implantitis, which is an inflammation that forms around implants.It causes bone loss around the artificial tooth roots and is caused by the same bacteria as periodontitis. Therefore, an untreated periodontitis is also a danger for an implant.
With poor dental hygiene, the risk of cardiovascular disease increases by 70 percent.
By breaking down the jawbone, it can lose its anchorage and loosen up. In fact, peri-implantitis is the leading cause of late loss of implants. "In many people, bone loss is very advanced due to periodontal disease," says Nicole Pischon. "It does not have to be that prevention should be given more attention, and anyone who thoroughly removes plaque through individualized and professional cleaning does not provide fertile ground for bacteria." The expert therefore advises urgently to always pay attention to a good dental hygiene.
Brushing teeth is important for the health of the whole body and a simple way to prevent coronary heart disease. This has been shown by a multi-year study by the University of London with 12,000 women and men. For the participants with poor dental hygiene, the risk of cardiovascular disease was increased by 70 percent. In addition to your own intensive dental hygiene, everyone should have their teeth cleaned once or twice a year by the dentist, recommends Nicole Pischon. Although the costs of about 70 to 180 euros have to be paid out of pocket. But not only teeth and gums are optimally protected, but also the heart.
To prevent dangerous inflammation
? Brush the teeth twice a day. Electric toothbrushes with oscillating movements remove the pads very thoroughly. Tooth creams with fluoride strengthen the tooth enamel.
? Once a day, the interdental spaces should be cleaned with dental floss or interdental brushes. Important: The device must be adapted to the individual distances between the teeth. "Often you need three different interdental brushes, because the interdental spaces are not the same throughout the mouth," says periodontitis expert Nicole Pischon. Slipping brushes or flossing too easily through the interstices, the tool is probably wrongly chosen. The best way to get advice from the dentist in selection and handling.
? Use a tongue scraper once a day or "scrub" the tongue with the toothbrush. Studies show that cleaning the tongue not only provides fresh breath but can also reduce plaque build-up by 35 percent.
? Mouthwashes with antibacterial mouthwash can also help prevent bleeding gums.
? At the first signs of gingivitis, sage tea has been proven. It contains antibacterial essential oils. Pour five grams of dried sage leaves (from the pharmacy) with 250 milliliters of boiling water and leave to infuse for ten minutes. Strain and use lukewarm as a mouthwash.
You should take these warning signs seriously
A gingivitis, but also a beginning periodontitis, prepares in most cases initially no pain. These symptoms may indicate:
? Bleeding gums after brushing your teeth or biting into a hard apple
? Bleeding gums lasting more than a week
? swollen and / or reddened gums
? Gums, which are clearly visible
? Sensitive necks of the teeth, where a cold touch or a stinging sensation can be felt when drinking cold and / or hot food
? unpleasant bad breath
? Secretion that flows out of the gum pockets
? loosened teeth
Anyone who notices one of these warning signs should make an appointment with the dentist. A new feature is a self-test that uses a sample of your own saliva to provide information about whether a periodontal disease is already present (PerioSafe test, approx. 35 euros, in pharmacies). More information and help in the search for specialists in periodontics and dental hygienists on the German Society for Periodontology.
