Periodontal Disease
Periodontal (gum) disease is the major cause of tooth loss in adults. It affects three out of four people over the age of 35.
In fact, more than half of all adults over age 18 already have periodontal disease in its early stages. This inflammatory disease causes swelling and redness,
and attacks the gum, bone, and other supporting structures of the teeth. Periodontal disease is chronic, meaning that left untreated it can persist and worsen
over time. The different stages of the disease are called gingivitis and periodontitis.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the earliest form of periodontal disease. It occurs when plaque (a sticky film of bacteria and other substances) accumulates on the teeth
near the gums. The gums become inflamed, causing redness and swelling around one or more teeth. As the disease progresses, the gums tend to bleed easily.
If detected and treated at this stage, the gingival tissue will return to normal.
Periodontitis
Left untreated, gingivitis becomes periodontitis, also known as pyorrhea. As the plaque hardens into calculus, it extends from the gumline
down the tooth root. Gradually, the gums detach from the tooth and form pockets. These periodontal pockets create room for even more bacterial activity
and the cycle continues. As the disease worsens, the bone supporting the tooth is destroyed, resulting in tooth loss.
Causes of periodontal disease
Plaque is the cause of periodontal disease. It continually forms on teeth. Daily brushing and flossing break up plaque, so that it doesn’t
accumulate on the teeth and cause periodontal disease. At least 30 types of bacteria can produce periodontal disease. The bacteria create toxins (poisons)
that irritate the gums and loosen the attachment of gum tissues to the teeth.
Local irritants, such as smoking, chewing tobacco, or clenching the teeth, can also contribute to periodontal disease. Additional factors include poor diet,
certain medications, and high levels of stress.
Symptoms of periodontal disease
Because you can’t see the bone destruction going on beneath the gum tissue, you may not realize you have this disease until damage has been done.
Your dentist can examine your gums to see if you have any periodontal problems. He or she may use a periodontal probe to look for pockets between your gums
and teeth. This device also measures the depth of the pockets. X-rays can determine whether any bone destruction has occurred.
At home, you can be on the alert for the warning signs of periodontal disease. If you have any of the following symptoms, see your dentist at once.
- Red, swollen, or tender gums
- Gums that bleed when you brush your teeth
- Pus between the teeth and gums (noticeable when the gums are pressed)
- Loose permanent teeth
- A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
- A change in the fit of your partial dentures
- Bad breath
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Treating periodontal disease
Treatment of periodontal disease depends on how far the disease has progressed. Nonsurgical treatments are used for early stages and surgical treatments
for later stages.
Nonsurgical treatments:
- Scaling and root planning.
This deep cleaning procedure removes plaque, calculus, and inflamed tissues from under the gums.
This promotes healing of the gum tissue and its reattachment to the teeth.
- Antibiotics.
To treat the infection, antibiotics are used to kill bacteria.
Antibiotic gel or chips may be placed directly into the infected pockets. Or you may be prescribed an antibiotic rinse to use at home.
- Bite correction.
This is done to relieve pressure on certain areas of the mouth. Pressure leads to bone loss.
So your dentist may fit you with a bite guard to adjust your bite, or a night guard if you grind your teeth.
Surgical treatments
Advance periodontal disease will likely require gum surgery. This is to reduce pocket size, help regenerate bone and other tissue, or to adjust
the gumline. This process takes several visits to complete, so it’s important to keep your appointments.
Preventing periodontal disease
Periodontal disease does not cure itself.
After your dentist treats your gums and teeth, you need to practice good oral hygiene to prevent
periodontal disease from coming back.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Brush at least once a day.
Use a fluoride toothpaste. This removes plaque from the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces of the teeth.
- Floss each day.
This removes plaque from the areas along the gumline and between the teeth where a toothbrush can’t reach. Regular daily flossing can often reverse the early
stages of periodontal disease.
- Eat nutritious foods.
By eating a variety of foods, your body will get the nutrients needed for good health and for healthy teeth and gums.
- See your dentist regularly.
In addition to cleaning your teeth, the dentist or hygienist will identify any dental problems.
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