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We’ve all heard about the risks of letting gum disease go untreated. As the gums are increasingly affected, they can recede, and even tooth loss can occur. Although these are serious problems, there’s something even more significant to consider – there is growing evidence that untreated chronic gum disease may lead to cancer.

A recent study supported by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research and the National Cancer Institute has found a potential link between untreated gum disease and the human papillomavirus, commonly referred to as HPV. Although HPV is usually associated with sexual contact and can lead to cancer in the reproductive organs, as many as ten percent of men and over three percent of women are infected orally with the virus.

The danger is that being infected with HPV in the mouth can leave a patient much more susceptible to certain types of head and neck cancer. In the study, about forty percent of the patients with head or neck cancer tested positive for oral HPV, about four times the national average for the virus in men, and over ten times the national average for women. As HPV is already known to cause many other types of cancer, this connection is hardly a surprise.

What is eye-opening is that the HPV virus itself seems to be more likely to persist in patients who have poor oral hygiene that has led to chronic gum disease. Those who avoid getting cleanings and leave their gum disease unchecked are making themselves much more vulnerable than necessary.

Although it’s not clear yet as to why there is this connection between HPV and gum disease, what is clear is that there’s a way to protect yourself as much as possible. Coming in for regular checkups and cleanings can keep gum disease in check and help keep HPV at bay.

Remember, not all gum disease is visible, and many people with perfect teeth think that because their smile looks good, they’re in the clear. Gum disease can progress with few or even no symptoms, and it’s important that you let the dentist check your gums on a regular basis to make sure everything is okay.

Prevention is the best cure – keep your gums and mouth in good health to help keep the rest of your body healthy, too.

Gingivitis and periodontitis are serious issues that can be very harmful to the health of your teeth. Furthermore, there’s growing evidence to show that excess bacteria left untreated in the mouth can contribute to bigger health problems like diabetes and gum disease. There is hope, however – there are plenty of actions you can take to keep gum disease at bay and have a healthy smile for many years to come.

1. Visit the dentist regularly. Many times, especially in the early stages, the symptoms of gum disease are invisible to the untrained eye. Visiting your dentist on a regular basis for check-ups and cleanings is an essential part of stopping gum disease before it takes hold. Don’t assume that because everything looks and feels okay to you, that there are no problems.

2. Brush daily. Brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste can help remove most of the plaque associated with gum disease, and this one simple habit is probably the most important when it comes to regular at-home care. Brushing is especially important in the morning, when bacteria have been building up in the mouth all night, and after meals, when it’s important to clear away food particles that get stuck on the teeth.

3. Floss daily. Most people are pretty good about remembering to brush, but remembering to floss is often another matter. Plaque between the teeth can be especially dangerous because it settles where your brush cannot reach. Over time, that plaque can cause inflammation of the gums that can lead to gum disease. Learning how to floss correctly and making the effort to do it daily is an important part of your oral hygiene habit.

4. Stop smoking, or don’t start. Smoking, aside from causing severe problems with the respiratory system, can also wreak havoc on your gums. In fact, smoking is one of the highest risk factors for gum disease, and in addition, being a smoker can reduce the effectiveness of gum disease treatments.

If you think you may have gum disease, or if it’s just been awhile since you’ve been to the dentist and you need a check-up, you can book an appointment at our Fairfax, VA dental practice to have your teeth cleaned and checked out. Safe is definitely better than sorry, and the sooner you catch the early signs of gum disease, the more that can be done about it.

When MyPerioPath® salivary diagnostic test results arrive, we notify patients of the findings regarding levels of certain disease-causing bacteria in your mouth. Left untreated, these bacteria can cause a severe periodontal infection. The infection can cause the gum to pull away from the teeth, forming pockets in which bacteria can grow and cause further damage, leading to tooth loss.

With the knowledge of exactly what kinds of bacteria are causing a patient’s periodontal disease, we are able to treat infections more effectively in an effort to return the patient’s mouth to a state of health. Remember, your gums help support your teeth. Periodontal disease destroys the gum tissue and tooth-supporting structures. Periodontal disease does not go away on its own, and will only get worse if it is not treated properly.

Please call Rye Smiles for Life today at 703-352-2010 if you have any concerns about whether your teeth, gums, and smile are as healthy as they can be. Contact us today with any questions!

What you should do if you think you have gum disease:

• ASK your Dentist or Hygienist to do a comprehensive periodontal evaluation for you at least once per year and a periodontal screening at every visit
• If you have gum disease and HBP you should have a salivary diagnostic test to determine the type and amount of bacteria in your mouth
• If periodontal treatment is recommended, do it.
• Get your teeth professionally cleaned four times per year
• ASK your Dentist or Hygienist to outline a daily home care routine that meets your specific needs

For more information visit: www.americanheart.org & www.perio.org or contact us!

We are excited to offer three new laboratory tests to our patients. All three tests are non-invasive and only require the patient to swish a saline type liquid in their mouth for 30 seconds then discard in the test cup. All tests are sent via FedEx to the Oral DNA Lab in Tennessee and we receive the results in a week. Here is a brief description of each test now available:

Periodontal DNA Test – This is a revolutionary test to give each young adult the knowledge if they are pre-disposed hereditarily to Periodontal Disease. Inflammation involved in Periodontal Disease is linked with heart disease, diabetes, strokes, Rheumatoid arthritis, possibly Alzheimer’s disease, and some cancers. With test results our hygiene department can educate our patients on the many ways they can improve their oral care to prevent this gum disease from manifesting and causing major medical issues in the future.

Periodontal Pathogen Test – This test identifies the virulent or aggressive bacteria associated with the patient’s current inflammation of gum disease. The test results show exactly which bacteria(s) is/are present orally and what antibiotic protocol is needed to reduce or eliminate the infection. We then combat the underlying cause of inflammation, reduce the bacterial count and improve the overall health of our patients. Good oral health complements good general health!

Oral HPV Test – This test provides early detection of high risk HPV viruses that can lead to oral cancer. The oral HPV virus does not typically show any visual signs or symptoms. Most people are completely unaware of the HPV virus being orally present. The “risk factors” used for deciding on an HPV test are individuals who smoke and use tobacco, males and females who are sexually active, and individuals with a family history of oral cancer. Very recent data leads us to believe that the fastest growing segment of the oral cancer population is non-smokers under the age of 50. Your hygienist will discuss all risk factors regardless of age.

Please ask your hygienist at your next cleaning if you would benefit from one these new tests.