Gum disease a silent epidemic, worldwide.
Gum disease is a major health problem as
*3 out of 4 will experience gum disease in their lifetime.
*60-80% of the population in industrialized countries suffer from gingivitis (bleeding gums)
*10-20% suffers from periodontitis (tooth loss)
" Over three-quarters of adults in Singapore experience some form of gum disease, from mild gingivitis to severe periodontitis. "
Source: National University of Singapore, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, 2023
Gingivitis is a very common problem that is too often underestimated; when gums are red, irritated, swollen or bleed, you have gingivitis. It is mainly caused by plaque bacteria which penetrate and cause inflammation of the gums.
If gingivitis is not treated in time, there is a risk that it will spread to the bone and ligaments that support the teeth. The gum pockets caused by inflammation become deeper and the bacteria penetrate further down and gradually attack the bone and may result in loosening and subsequent loss of teeth.
A balance of oral bacteria is of vital importance for our health. Bacteria living in your mouth are very close to your blood supply. When the gums are injured, they can bleed, allowing pathogens access to your bloodstream.
When pathogens enter your bloodstream, it can travel throughout your body and infect almost any organ in your body, including your heart.
How periodontitis develops
New research indicates that there is a connection between key bacteria in periodontal disease and many common conditions such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and asthma.
It is also an open way to bring harmful bacteria throughout the body, causing systemic
diseases such as:
x2.5 increased risk of diabetes
x3 increased risk of heart attack
x7 increased risk of premature birth and low birth weight
Gingivitis
One early sign of gingivitis is that the gums bleed during brushing or flossing. Inflamed gums can be red and tender, but are most often not painful and can therefore be difficult to detect on your own. The inflammation leads to the formation of a pocket between the tooth and gum.
L. reuteri Prodentis reduced bleeding on probing by 85%.
Periodontitis
If gingivitis is not treated in time, there is a risk that it will spread to the bone and ligaments that support the teeth. The gum pockets caused by inflammation become deeper and the bacteria penetrate further down and gradually attack the bone and may result in loosening and subsequent loss of teeth.
Plaque
Healthy gums are light pink in colour and are tight around each tooth. They do not bleed during brushing or flossing. A bacterial film known as dental plaque is formed continuously on and between the teeth and at the gum line. Plaque consists of microorganisms, salivary proteins, food and beverage residue, and can be formed in only one day. If you do not clean your teeth and gums regularly, the plaque collects and the gums become inflamed.
Peri-Implantitis
L. reuteri Prodentis significantly reduction of bleeding on probing and probing pocket depth in implants with peri implantitis.
The tooth looses more and more of its attachment. Gingivitis has now progressed to periodontitis. The progression is slow and often takes place over several years without any apparent symptoms. Professional intervention is necessary to treat periodontitis, otherwise the process will continue and eventually lead to loosening and subsequent loss of teeth.
Caries
Both caries and periodontitis originate from a disturbance in the balance and diversity of the biofilm. Contributing causes may be poor oral hygiene, incorrect diet, stress and/or other factors which affect the oral microflora. Caries is mainly caused by the presence of the bacterium mutans streptococci, which creates a low local pH environment which in turn de-mineralizes enamel.
L. reuteri Prodentis is effective in reducing caries-associated Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) in children.
Halitosis – Bad breath
Bad breath, or halitosis, can occur from time to time or be more or less permanent, depending on the cause. Some of the common causes are poor oral hygiene, periodontal disease, respiratory tract infections or underlying illnesses like diabetes, kidney, liver or reflux disease.
L. reuteri Prodentis reduces oral malodour/ bad breath.
Candidas
Oral candidosis, or Candida-associated stomatitis, is common among the elderly and is often associated with factors such as antibiotic treatment, an impaired immune system, neglected oral hygiene and smoking. In frail elderly patients the condition may be more or less chronic or frequently recurrent and may require long-term or repeated antifungal medication with the risk of resistant strains.
L. reuteri Prodentis reduced the prevalence of oral Candida by more than 50% compared to placebo.
Bacteria and inflammatory periodontal diseases
Under healthy conditions, the mouth is protected by beneficial microflora (“friendly” bacteria) that acts as a defense system against the harmful plaque bacteria responsible for the onset of gingivitis and tooth decay.
However, oral microflora can be weakened by: poor oral hygiene, an incorrect diet, stress, and other factors, which promote the development of pathogenic bacteria (“bad” bacteria) and, consequently, of gum diseases.
How to prevent Gingivitis and Periodontitis
There is a lot you can do for yourself and a great deal that your oral hygienist or dentist can help you with. The important thing is to get started in time!
Check-up. Your dentist or oral hygienist can determine your pocket depth and the degree of inflammation, and evaluate the condition of the ligaments and bone around the tooth.