09
10
Dental implants can get gum disease too.
Experts estimate between 3-20% of implants
fail due to infection. Implants themselves
can’t become diseased but the tissue around
implants can become infected. Infection can
set in when bacteria is present during oral
surgery or any time in the future. It can also
be caused when dental cement escapes from
under the crown during cementation and
gets caught in the gums. Making sure gum
disease is treated before implant placement
is crucial. If you think your implant may be
failing, the LAPIP treatment can help.
Astonishing
facts about
GUM
10 Losing teeth shortens your life. Research
shows that the more missing natural teeth a
person has, the sooner they die. The study
showed that those with 20 or more natural
teeth at the age of 70 had a considerably Dr. Michael Sonick, Dr. Rui Ma & Associates
Creating Beautiful Healthy Smiles for a Lifetime
higher life expectancy than those who
DISEASE
didn’t. Just another reason to keep your
natural teeth as long as possible!
Michael Sonick, DMD
Rui “Ray” Ma, DMD
that can change
YOUR LIFE
Over 80% of U.S. adults suffer from some degree of
gum disease, making it one of the most common
diseases in America. Yet, most of us don’t know much
about gum disease. Even worse, what we think we
1047 Old Post Road, Fairfield CT 06824 know may not be completely true. Here are some
203-254-2006 useful (and actual) facts about this often ignored part
[email protected] of our body.
www.sonickdmd.com
10 Astonishing Facts About Gum Disease That Can Change Your Life
01 Gum disease is silent. The odds are you have
gum disease but don’t know it. Less than 04 Chronic bad breath is a sign of gum disease.
Most of us have experienced waking up to a 06 “Pink in the sink” is not normal. You may
think that spitting out a few spots of blood
60% of people with gum disease even know case of “morning breath” on occasion. But if after brushing and flossing is a
they have it because early symptoms are you notice that your breath seems run-of-the-mill occurrence, but it isn’t. Your
easy to miss. That’s why it is called a “silent” less-than-fresh on a recurring basis even gums should not be bleeding — period. If
disease. Only when the disease reaches though you are brushing and flossing you’ve ever noticed that your gums bleed,
advanced levels do you notice a change to normally, it can indicate that you have gum you need to address it with your dentist.
the mouth and gums. If you wait until you disease. Gum disease is a bacterial infection,
see or feel symptoms, you are increasing
your risk of serious oral health problems.
which gives off an unpleasant odor. Don’t
just stock up on mints — make sure you’re 07 Gum disease can be hereditary. According
to the American Academy of Periodontology,
getting to the root of problem. research has indicated that genetics can
02 Gum disease isn’t just a disease for older influence a person’s susceptibility to gum
people. A common misconception is that
gum disease is something that only afflicts 05 Gum disease is linked to other serious
conditions, including heart disease, stroke,
disease. That means that even if you have
conscientious oral health habits, you could
the senior population. The truth is, half of all Alzheimer’s, diabetes and more. Learning still be at risk! If gum disease seems like it
americans over the age of 30 suffer from gum about the links between gum disease and runs in your family, talk to your dentist
disease. Anyone, even children, can get gum these systemic diseases, as well as the overall about your next steps. Most people, our
disease. Even pets get gum disease. That’s importance of oral health, is one key to parents included, don’t say much about gum
why it’s so important for people of all ages to ensuring people change their lifestyle habits disease. Gum disease may run in your family
get regular dental checkups every six months to improve their gums and general health. and you might not even know it.
to make sure your oral health is on the up and
up. If you are concerned that you may have
08
gum disease, ask your dentist if he has probed 175,785,803 You can regenerate parts of your body! Yes,
U.S. Adult Population GUM
your gums recently and what the pocket DISEASE it is possible to regrow bone destroyed by
U.S. POPULATION DATA SOURCED FROM THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU, 2010, CENSUS OTHER
depths were. gum disease. A big part of the reason so
DISEASE INFORMATION FROM THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION
many people shy away from treating their
03
Gum disease is contagious. There are gum disease is fear of the surgical options.
hundreds of species of bacteria living in While surgical methods, and sometimes
81,000,000
every one’s mouth. In the case of gum HEART placement of dental implants, are frequently
disease, you can unwittingly pass the disease DISEASE thought of as the only ways to deal with
on to your loved ones through the simple 50,000,000 problem teeth, there is an alternative that
acts of sharing food and drinks or kissing. ARTHRITIS can help you save and even regrow lost bone.
25,800,000
Even the act of double dipping in a shared DIABETES The LANAP laser treatment doesn’t require
bowl is a major offender in spreading gum 2,226,620 any cutting or sewing and is the only
disease. So treating your gum disease can
CANCER treatment method that has been FDA
prevent passing it on to your family and 3% GET TREATMENT cleared to regenerate (aka regrow) bone and
friends. 40,000,000 DON’T KNOW THEY HAVE IT tissues lost to gum disease.
50,000,000 MODERATE TO SEVERE
