According to the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Survey, gum disease is an epidemic. Though the total number of people with gum disease is about 6 percent of the population, the percentage increases with age. By age 75, more than 18 percent of seniors have moderate to severe periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is a catch-all phrase that includes inflammation of the gums, receding gums and crypts. Crypts, also known as pockets, are pouches of bad bacteria and plaque that push the gum tissue away from the tooth, contributing to both receding gums and inflammation of the gums. Inflammation of the gums is also known as periodontitis.
Why It Matters
It may not sound serious, but the health of the mouth is an indicator of your overall health. According to the Journal of Periodontology, a strong relationship exists between gum diseases and other diseases, particularly heart disease. The same bacteria that form crypts can also infect the heart valves, causing heart disease and even death. The same journal also noted that periodontal disease is implicated in bone loss. Other studies have linked periodontal disease to many other diseases, including serious illnesses like pancreatic cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute.
What You Should Do About It
It's critical to catch gum disease early and reverse it before serious damage is done. Yet reversing gum disease is easier than it sounds. The first step is to cultivate impeccable oral hygiene habits. Brushing and flossing daily are critical, as are twice-yearly checkups and cleanings. But even more important are your overall health habits. Eating refined sugar and flour is widely known to be a contributor to dental disease. Poor diets present a double jeopardy to the health of the mouth. Refined sugar and grain products feed the bad bacteria that break down oral tissues, including gums and teeth. Eating refined sugar and flour leaves less room in the diet for healthy leaves--the green leaves of fresh vegetables. The vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytonutrients in fresh fruits and vegetables are critical to maintaining oral health. According to the American Dental Hygienists' Association, calcium and vitamin C are most critical for gum health, though many other beneficial substances in plants can help heal the gums. For example, a Journal of Internal Medicine study showed that substances in pomegranate strongly assist the gums in regenerating.
Many other studies going back as far as the mid-1970s show the tremendous promise of a nutrient known as CoEnzyme Q10 in reversing all aspects of gum disease, including crypts. CoEnzyme Q10 assists every cell in the body in the production of energy. It is particularly useful for strengthening heart muscle contraction, aiding patients with heart disease. This nutrient is produced by the body during vigorous exercise and is also available as a nutritional supplement.
If you or someone you love has gum disease, talk to your dentist about treatment, and be sure to ask about dietary changes and supplements that can help reverse the tide of this seemingly innocuous but dangerous disease.
