GUM DISEASE  ADVICE HOME

Periodontal (gum) disease is the most common cause of adult tooth loss, but what exactly is it? It is an inflammatory bacterial infection attacking the gums, ligaments and bone (the periodontium) that support the teeth and anchor them in the jaw. It's a sneaky disease which often develops slowly, over a period of years, without causing any pain. In its advanced stages, periodontal disease can be so severe that the teeth become loose and need to be extracted. That is why it is so very important to visit your dental office regularly, so that gum disease can be prevented or detected in its early stages when it can be reversed with proper treatment and home care.


This is how it happens: Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontal disease. It is caused by a thin, sticky biofilm called plaque which accumulates on the teeth near the gums (gingiva). Plaque forms on our teeth every day and is full of bacteria which irritate the gums, causing redness, puffiness and bleeding. If detected at this early stage and treated with a professional dental cleaning and proper flossing and brushing at home, this condition can be reversed without causing any further damage.

Periodontitis is the condition that occurs when gingivitis is left untreated. Plaque which is not removed hardens into calculus or tartar, and may extend from the gumline down along the roots of the teeth. The lower front teeth and the upper molars are most prone to calculus accumulation, but it will form around all of the teeth. Calculus cannot be removed by toothbrushing and flossing and is a breeding area for bacteria which cause the gums to detach from the teeth, forming periodontal pockets. The bacterial activity inside these pockets eventually destroys the bone that supports the teeth, resulting in the teeth loosening or falling out. Recent research has shown that individuals with periodontitis are much more likely to develop certain medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, respiratory disease and premature, low birth weight babies.


Symptoms of Periodontal Disease:

• red, puffy, tender gums
• gums that bleed during toothbrushing
• pus between the teeth and gums
• loose permanent teeth
• bad breath that will not go away

• visit your dental office regularly for preventive check-ups and professional dental cleanings
• your dentist or dental hygienist will use a measuring instrument called a periodontal probe to locate any pockets between the gums and teeth
• floss at least once a day and brush at least twice per day
• eat a healthy, well-balanced diet
• treatment of periodonal disease depends upon its severity and, in some cases, it is necessary to be referred to a gum specialist or periodontist for more advanced treatment