Dual Board-Certified Specialist...
Jin Y. Kim, DDS, MPH, MS


Do I have GUM DISEASE?



Your family dentist is recommending that you visit my office so that the extent of your periodontitis or gum disease may be evaluated. I am a specialist in this area of dentistry and I am known as a periodontist.


Commonly known as Pyorrhea, periodontal disease is a progressive ailment suffered, to some extent, by nearly 90% of adults over age 35. It is the primary reason for loss of teeth by people over 30.

Periodontal disease begins when bacteria invade the gum tissue surrounding the teeth. Once this bacterial invasion takes hold, the gums become puffy, bleed easily, and gradually lose their "grip" on the teeth they are supposed to protect. Pockets form where the gum loses its grip. These pockets allow more bacteria to lodge under the gum line below the reach of a toothbrush. Some of the bacteria produce toxins that attack the bone which supports the teeth. Without treatment, teeth become loose and may need to be removed.

Because this destruction usually occurs beneath the gum line, the gum tissue may appear normal. This explains why many people discover too late that they have the disease. Only a thorough periodontal examination can reveal if hidden disease is present. 


perioscopy




Are You at Risk for Periodontal Disease?

 

RISK? check for yourself

 

Periodontal Disease is characterized by many unpleasant side effects: With periodontal disease your gums will show:


  - swelling

  - redness

  - spontaneous bleeding

  - bleeding on eating or tooth-brushing,

  - bad breath

  - tooth sensitivity

 

In its early stages, gum disease is called gingivitis. During these early stages, gum disease is more easily treatable than when it has gone unattended for a period of time.



A patient seen by Dr. Ki

m in 2003. She has uncontrolled periodontal disease 

displaying bleeding, swelling, redness, bad breath, and accompanied by 

movement and looseness of teeth.

 


Click here for Classification and Types of Periodontal Diseases

 

Periodontal disease is characterized by progressive, destruction of bone and gum tissue around otherwise healthy teeth. It is the plaque and calculus formed by bacterial plaque that is the primary cause for periodontal disease.


find out more about bacteria living in your mouth

 



Periodontal Disease is Caused by Bacteria



Over 500 species of bacteria live in a person's mouth. If you have healthy gums, your saliva removes most of these germs on an on-going basis. However, if you h

ave unhealthy gums, there is evidence to suggest that gum disease is associated with heart disease, diabetes and may increase respiratory complications in certain groups of people. Additionally, pregnant women are more likely to have a pre-term baby. In periodontal disease, the bacteria build between the teeth and gums. When these bacterial colonies multiply, any tear in the gum tissue allows bacteria into the blood stream. According to a current study, 70% of fatty deposits in the carotid arteries of stroke sufferers contain bacteria. Forty percent of these bacteria come from the mouth.

 



What Other Health Conditions do Gum Disease Effect?


Heart Disease


Evidence suggests that people with periodontal disease may be more at risk for heart disease.

 In addition, they have nearly twice the risk of having a fatal heart attack than people without periodontal disease. In unhealthy gums, the bacteria become mixed up with the blood-clotting cells and form a clump that travels through the blood vessel. The vessel walls are irritated by the clumps of cells and bacteria. This irritation may stimulate the formation of heart-stopping blood clots.

 




Diabetes


It has been known for years that people with diabetes are more likely to have periodontal disease. But what recent research shows is that p

e

riodontal disease may make it even more difficult for people with diabetes t

o control their blood sugar. One study showed a reduction in the need for insulin in seven of nine diabetic patients being treated for periodontal disease.



Premature Birth


Pregnant women with gum disease are seven to eight times more likely to give birth prematurely and to have low birth weight babies. It is believed that periodontal disease causes damaged cells to release inflammation causing substances associated with pre-mature birth.

 


Respiratory Problems


Evidence suggest that incidence of nosocomical pneumonia in institionalized subjects, including those of intensive care units and nursing homes, may be reduced by improv

ing oral hygiene, which can be achieved by both mechanical or chemical approaches.

 


 

 







 








Teeth belong in your mouth, for a lifetime. Don't let this happen to you...




What Can Be Done?


Appropriate treatment along with follow-up care by you and your family dentist can help to prevent recurrence of the disease.

  • Treatment usually begins with a thorough cleaning of the tooth roots and any gum pockets. The plaque and calculus are removed and tooth roots smoothed to eliminate any crevices that can harbor plaque.
  • This is followed by a daily home care program including careful brushing and flossing to remove plaque from under the gum margins.
  • Sometimes, the biting surfaces of the teeth may be adjusted to evenly distribute the chewing pressures throughout the mouth.
  • Other forms of treatment are necessary to help the gums reattach to the teeth for those patients who postpone periodontal care until the disease has progressed to an advanced state. Dr. Jin Kim is an expert at both non-surgical and surgical treatment of gum disease. He was the first periodontist in Southern California, trained and certified in both perioscopy and laser periodontal therapy.
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Content copyright 2009-2012. © Jin Y. Kim, DDS, MPH, MS, Inc.