Thursday, August 11, 2011

FAQs About Gum Disease

1. Is gum disease hereditary?
Not all people predisposed to gum disease will contract it. However, if you suspect that your parents lost all or most of their teeth, especially at an early age, you should be aware that you may have a tendency to contract gum disease more readily than someone who has no predisposition, or even more readily than someone with poor oral hygiene but a good resistance to periodontitis.

2. If my parents lost their teeth does that mean that I will lose mine?
Not necessarily. Treatments have evolved that allow periodontitis-disposed patients to improve their gum health and their chances of avoiding full dentures. However, if you do have a tendency toward periodontitis, it’s important to see a periodontist before you become aware of loose teeth or bleeding gums.

3. Can antibiotics be used to treat gum disease?
Antibiotics can be used in certain circumstances. In some cases of aggressive disease, antibiotics can enhance the results of non-surgical root planning—a careful cleaning of the root surfaces to remove plaque and calculus [tartar] from deep periodontal pockets and to smooth the tooth root to remove bacterial toxins. However, the same antibiotics taken without doing non-surgical root planing have been shown not to be of benefit.

4. Can I spread gum disease to my family?
It has been shown that gum disease transmission does occur between spouses or between a parent and child. However, there is more of a tendency for this to occur if all of the parties do not have a good resistance to gum disease. You can not transmit gum disease to another person via food utensils or toothbrushes.

5. Predisposition or not, what is the best way to avoid periodontal disease?
Cleaning your teeth efficiently on a daily basis. This means efficient brushing and flossing. Also, regular professional cleanings and examinations, at least every six months for healthy patients, and more frequently for those at risk for periodontitis.

For information about dentures, dental implants and gum disease, call the Ferber Dental Group at 561-439-8888 or visit www.ferberdental.com.

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