PERIODONTAL DISEASE (GUM DISEASE)
It’s human to take your health for granted. When you’re young and carefree, it’s easy to believe that you’ll feel vibrant and strong forever. Unfortunately, things break down when you neglect them -- your teeth and gums included.
When you don’t brush or floss regularly, plaque, a sticky film filled with bacteria, forms on your teeth. Plaque can infect your gums and the sulcus, the v-shaped crevice just below the gum line. At this stage, the infection is called gingivitis; if it progresses, it’s called periodontitis. Both are forms of periodontal disease.
Symptoms of Periodontal Disease
Swollen gums make brushing and flossing difficult. And bad breath is a social nuisance. But both are actually signs of something much more serious -- gingivitis. These symptoms are often mild, so it’s tempting to ignore them. However, when gingivitis is left untreated it can develop into the “Big Daddy” of periodontal disease: periodontitis. Periodontitis destroys the tissue and bone that support the teeth and can cause tooth loss. Periodontitis can also be transmitted to your loved ones via saliva.
Other warning signs of periodontal disease include:
- Spaces developing between your teeth
- Pus between your teeth and gums
- Loose teeth
- Receding gums
What Causes Periodontal Disease?
Plaque is the primary culprit of periodontal disease. If not removed within 26 hours, plaque turns into tartar, which causes periodontal disease. You can prevent plaque by practicing good oral hygiene. That means brushing and flossing regularly; visiting the dentist for regular checkups and cleanings; and maintaining a well-balanced diet.
Other factors can increase the risk of periodontal disease, including:
- Cigarettes and Tobacco -- Smoking and chewing tobacco are two of the major causes of periodontal disease.
- Genetics -- Research proves that about 30% of the population is predisposed to gum disease.
- Pregnancy -- Hormonal changes can make your gums sensitive and more susceptible to infection.
- Medications -- Certain drugs such as steroids, cancer therapy drugs and oral contraceptives can affect your gums.
Treating Periodontal Disease
Fortunately, gingivitis is reversible with professional care and good home dental care. Periodontitis requires more substantial treatment, however. A non-surgical method of treating periodontitis is a non-surgical scaling and root planing procedure (SRP). During an SRP, your dentist performs a careful cleaning of the root surfaces to remove plaque and tartar, and then smoothes the tooth root to remove bacterial toxins. Surgical treatments of periodontal disease include pocket reduction procedures, crown lengthening and soft tissue grafts.
