Abuse of AAS Medications Leads to Long Island Gum Disease
Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are an integral part of many American’s therapeutic treatment plan for various illnesses. It is commonly used for athletes to improve their speed and stamina as well as weightlifters increased muscle mass. Additionally AAS medications are crucial to the treatment of many asthma and chronic lung disorders. As beneficial as this medication can be a recent study in published in the Journal of Periodontology disclosed and increased risk of Long Island gum disease with prolonged use.
Researchers examined 24 athletes between the ages of 17 and 29 who had been using AAS for more than one year. All subjects were examined for plaque levels, gingival inflammation and gingival enlargement. The results were then compared with a control group of 20 bodybuilders who had never used AAS drugs and matched for age, educational level and oral habits according to the data obtained from the AAS user group.
The study showed that prolonged use of AAS medications did in fact lead to gingival enlargement, also called inflammatory enlargement of the gums. This is a condition where your gums actually swell up and grow over your teeth making proper oral hygiene more difficult and creating a perfect environment for bacteria to grow.
The study did reveal that patients using anabolic androgenic steroids appropriately and under a doctor’s care were less likely to develop gingival overgrowth, indicating that AAS abuse was a leading cause in the changes to gingival tissue.
Patients requiring continued use of AAS medications need to talk with their doctor about the increased risks of gum disease. Additionally it’s crucial to maintain good oral hygiene as well as regular dental check-ups. At the first signs of gingival enlargement contact your local Periodontist.
For the treatment of Long Island gum disease you can contact Dr. Scharf. He treats gum disease with a laser, not a scalpel, giving patients an alternative to gum surgery. Call Dr. Scharf at 631-661-6633 or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com.
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