EPIDEMIOLOGY

The most widespread diseases in people are tooth decay and gum disease. (The common cold is in a very distant third place.) These are chronic, communicable infections caused by germs. Both are caught in childhood, primarily from family. Neither can be well treated with antibiotics.

Tooth decay is primarily a childhood disease. Over 75% of adult decay problems actually relate to failure of old fillings and tooth fracture. Here and now, (Bangor, Maine, AD 2000) childhood and adolescent cavity rates have decreased well over 50%, in number and severity, in the past 15-20 years. This improvement is due not to dentists, or parents, or toothpaste or floss. Widespread fluoride is almost exclusively responsible. This represents the most significant and effective public health program ever. Also, unless decay has progressed to the point of abcess, it remains relatively isolated from the rest of the body. Therefore, we presently consider tooth decay a fairly simple problem.

Gum infections (periodontal disease) represent a much more serious health issue. Germs cause ulcers in the gum lining (bleeding gums), allowing bacteria to constantly get into the bloodstream (bacteremia). Evidence is accumulating at a tremendous rate relating these infections as a cause of, or major contributor to:

• acute and chronic heart disease
• stroke
• pregnancy complications
• unstable insulin balance/serious diabetic complications.