By Catherine Hansen

TYH: Aligned Teeth Help Fight Gum Disease

Oct 17, 2017 | 11:35 PM

Seven out of 10 Canadians will suffer from gum disease in their lifetime. As Catherine Hansen explains on today’s To Your Health, properly aligned teeth can help lower the odds of developing the condition.

(Announcer:) And now, “To Your Health”. Brought to you by Hart Drugs, Third Avenue Pharmacy and the Phoenix Pharmacy.

(Reporter Catherine Hansen:) It affects over half of Canadians, and often there are no symptoms. Periodontal disease often begins with gingivitis, or gum disease – the progression into periodontitis affects the bones and soft tissue that support teeth.

(Robert Elliott, Orthodontist:) “It may be asymptomatic. You don’t feel any pain or discomfort. In fact, many people have bone and gum disease of their supporting tooth structure, but they don’t realize they have it.”

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(Hansen:) Braces have been shown to improve the risk of periodontal disease, as gums fit tighter around straight teeth. And orthodontic treatment, in some cases, can help reverse the process of the disease.

(Elliott:) “Sometimes what we do is, we are asked by the gum specialist to align teeth in order to keep them longer. In other words, we can improve the bone levels by aligning the teeth and adjacent bone levels with the teeth, to give the teeth a better long term outlook.”

(Hansen:) It’s not just oral health. More evidence shows a strong association between gum disease and heart disease, and other conditions.

(Karen Lange, Dental Hygienist:) “By brushing your teeth, and taking time to floss your teeth and removing the plaque biofilm, then you will avoid either gingivitis or periodontitis, which is basically gum disease.”

(Hansen:) Regular visits and cleanings by a dental professional can help monitor and treat gum disease, keeping your smile healthy for years to come. To your health, Catherine Hansen, CKPG News.