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Periodontal (Gum) Disease: |
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What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease affects the gums and bone supporting the
teeth. You may have it and not even know it. There are no early
warning signs, except for occasional bleeding and redness around
the gums when brushing, and mouth odor. However, as the disease
progresses, the symptoms become more obvious. If left untreated,
periodontal disease can lead to loosening of teeth, receding
gums, and gum discomfort.
What cause periodontal disease?
Bacteria are the primary cause of periodontal infection.
Bacteria form in plaque, which is a sticky, almost invisible
film that forms over the teeth and destroys bone. Plaque that is
not removed by regular brushing and flossing hardens into tartar
over time. You cannot remove tartar (or calculus) on your own.
The only way to remove tartar is by a procedure called scaling,
which is done by a dentist.
Plaque that should have been remove by brushing or flossing
has now become calculus, which you can not remove yourself. |
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What are the stages of periodontal disease?
Stage 1. Gingivitis
 In
this early stage, your gums may look normal but they also may be
red, puffy, and bleed easily when you brush your teeth. You also
may notice some mouth odor. This is because bacteria in plaque
have caused infection.
Stage 2. Early
Periodontitis
Early periodontitis occurs when the bacterial infection spreads
from the gum to the bone that supports the teeth. The bacteria
then cause small spaces, or crevices, to form between the gums
and the teeth. These crevices are called pockets. They are
deeper than normal spaces, which measure 1 to 3 mm deep.
Bacteria in the pocket also can destroy some bone. As the pocket
grows and the amount of bacteria increases, the gums recede
down the root of the tooth, increasing the pocket depth. Your
dentist measures how deep your pocket id with an instrument
called a periodontal probe, by placing it in the gum crevice.
Stage 3. Moderate Periodontitis
 When the gum has crept further down the root, it is called
moderate periodontitis. In this stage, up to one third of your
bone has been lost.
Stage 4. Advanced Periodontitis
When half or more of the original bone holding the tooth has
been lost and pockets are very deep, it is called advanced
periodontitis. The tooth may appear longer because the root is
exposed, and the tooth may loosen and eventually fall out, or
have to be removed by your dentist. |
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What you and your dentist can do to treat and prevent
periodontitis
Periodontal diseases may be prevented if you brush and floss
every day to remove bacterial plaque and visit your dentist
regularly. |
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If you do have periodontal disease, your dentist or dental
hygienist will remove the calculus above and below the gum. This
procedure is called scaling. In moderate or severe
periodontitis, it may be necessary to smooth the root surfaces
of the teeth. This procedure, called root planning, removes
residual calculus and bacterial byproducts. Your dentist may
also replace old crowns and fillings that no longer fit well
because these trap bacteria and food that can cause severe
periodontal problems. |
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