Posts Tagged ‘bone resorption’
Gum Recession
Friday, July 10th, 2009
One of the most frequent concerns I hear is about receding gums. Oral health is certainly important to those people, but actually their fears are usually about appearance. The margins of their crowns and the roots begin to show, making the teeth look longer than normal. And, as you know, being ‘long in the tooth’ is associated with age.
Actually, the real mechanism going on is bone resorption. The gums just follow along, except directly around the necks of the teeth, where the swelling from infection and inflammation keep them propped up around the teeth. That produces a false sense of security, sometimes swaying the decision to get them checked and treated.
Generally speaking, bone resorption can be triggered in two ways, internally and externally. Internally, acidic blood from eating acid-producing foods will dissolve the calcium out of the bone, causing bone degeneration throughout the whole body as well as around the teeth. Foods that produce acidity in the blood are, as you might have guessed, junk foods. Sugar, starches, sodas, diet sodas, processed foods, drugs (prescription or non-prescription), coffee, alcohol, and even tobacco are literally eating you alive! Fruits are great, however even though they are acidic, they produce just the opposite effect in the blood. Go figure. Vegetables are also great. They are your best chance to replenish the calcium in your bones.
The external causes of bone resorption are infection and irritation. You get both of those from the plaque and tartar that accumulate around the teeth and along the root surfaces destroying the supported bone, with the gums soon to follow, and then the teeth like a domino effect. Many people think that brushing and flossing is enough, but that’s just a good start. You need to see your dentist.
If I’ve scared you, then good. Gum disease is the number one disease in America. It is the main portal through which inflammation and bacteria can enter your bloodstream, attacking your heart and other organs. There’s more than just your appearance at stake.
Dr. Moulton’s article was published in the Desert Valley Times, February 2007
Tags: bone degeneration, bone resorption, receding gums
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