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Adults lose more teeth to gum disease than any other factor. During your lifetime, you could be one of the nine out of 10 people who suffer from this disease worldwide.
Periodontal or gum disease is an infection that affects the gums and jaw bone and, in the early stages, is symptomless. However, some early signs are swollen and tender gums, bad breath, and gums that bleed when you floss and brush your teeth. Although plaque is the primary cause of gum disease, some people are predisposed by heredity. Fortunately, periodontal disease can be treated at all stages.
Gum disease can be prevented. Visit your dentist regularly and brush and floss your teeth to remove plaque. If it is not removed, bacterial plaque will affect your gums causing inflammation which may lead to bleeding or bone loss. This stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. Plaque that is not removed may cause your gums to recede, pockets to develop between the gums and teeth and may compromise the tissue which attaches the tooth to the jaw.
Did you know that aside from colds and flu, periodontal disease is the most common infection in North America? Call for your dental cleaning appointment today!
Periodontal (gum) disease is the most common cause of tooth loss in adults and is an infection caused by plaque. Plaque is the sticky film composed mostly of bacteria that forms continuously on the teeth and must be removed daily to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. If not removed, plaque bacteria produce toxins that irritate gum tissues causing them to swell. Gradually, plaque hardens into calculus (tartar) that forms a rough surface on which more plaque accumulates, causing increased irritation and swelling. This inflammation damages the periodontal fibers that hold the gums tightly against the teeth, creating spaces known as periodontal pockets. These pockets create room for even more bacterial activity which creates deeper pockets until eventually the bone supporting the tooth is destroyed, resulting in tooth loss. In addition to plaque, other factors that can cause periodontal disease include local irritants such as smoking, chewing tobacco, or habitually clenching the teeth. Nutrition, certain medications, and high levels of stress can also be contributing factors.
In many cases periodontal disease begins at an early age and in its first stages is called gingivitis (gum inflammation); with the more advanced stage known as periodontitis or pyorrhea. Because the disease con be virtually painless, it is important to maintain regular check-ups so that your dentist can detect the presence of periodontal disease, however, he/she may refer you to a periodontist (a specialist in diagnosing, treating and preventing gum disease). Your periodontist does a more in-depth examination to determine the actual extent of your periodontal disease. The disease can be controlled; however, control and treatment depend on how far the disease has progressed and how willing the patient is to accept responsibility for proper home care.
The earlier you treat periodontal disease, the easier it is to control, and the better chance you have of restoring the health of your mouth and saving your teeth.
 In a healthy mouth, teeth fit snugly in their sockets, their roots surrounded by a strong foundation of gums and other supportive tissue.
 If not removed regularly from teeth and gums, bacteria grow out of control and produce toxins that irritate your gums. Colculus along the gumline farms a rough surface on which plaque accumulates, causing more irritation and swelling. You may notice sore, bleeding gums or bad breath. Spaces between gum and tooth (pockets) may exist, but no bone is damaged in this mild, reversible form of periodontal disease.
 The most common cause of periodonfitis, plaque (and sometimes calsulus) is found below the gumline. The ligaments break down and the gum detaches and pulls away from the teeth. The pockets deepen and fill with more bacteria. Supportive ligaments and bone start to show damage, resulting in loose teeth.
 When periodantitis progresses to the advanced stage, pockets deepen and may fill with pus. There may be swelling around the root and as bone loss increases; your teeth may lose so much support that they fall out or need to be removed to preserve the overall health of your mouth.
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.
Of course, the only way to confirm a diagnosis of periodontal disease is to have your mouth thoroughly examined. During an examination your gums are evaluated for bleeding, swelling, firmness, and abnormal contours by your dentist or periodontist.
Your teeth are also checked for movement and sensitivity, as well as your bite (which could be a contributing factor to the condition) is also assessed. Full mouth x-rays less than a year old are usually required to detect breakdown of bone surrounding your teeth.
 Periodontal probing below the gumline involves measuring and recording the depth of the pockets around each tooth, which you can't see or feel. Probing is the key technique your periodontist uses to find out how serious your disease is and to plan your treatment.
A probe is like o tiny ruler. Your periodontist inserts this tool gently in the spore, or pocket, between your tooth and gum. The deeper the probe goes, the deeper the pocket, and the more severe the periodontal disease.
Treatment of periodontal disease depends on how far the disease has progressed; Individualized treatment may include any of the following:
Non - surgical therapy removes plaque and calculus by controlling the growth of harmful bacteria and by treating conditions that encourage gum disease.
These types of treatments may be all that's needed:
- Scaling and root planing. Scaling is removing the calculus deposits from your teeth; root planing is the smoothing of the root surfaces so that the gum tissue can reattach to the tooth.
- Curettage removes the soft tissue lining the periodontal pocket. This helps the gum tissue to heal.
 Surgical therapy may be necessary to remove periodontal pockets when the disease is more advanced. Because bone tissue that has been destroyed does not grow back, special techniques are used:
- Ginaivectomy involves removing an overgrowth of gum tissue. Removing excess gum tissue eliminates the space in which bacteria can collect (as displayed to the image).
- Flap surgery allows us to gain access to the root of the tooth for removal of calculus, plaque and diseased tissue. The gum is then secured back into place. Flap surgery is sometimes accompanied by osseous (bone) surgery, in which the bone around the tooth is reshaped or part of it is removed.
Good periodontal health starts with the patient. Here's what you can do to prevent or control gum disease:
- Thoroughly brush and floss your teeth everyday.
- Eat well-balanced meals and avoid sugary, "junk food" snacks.
- Examine your mouth for any early signs of gum disease.
- Visit your dentist at least twice a year for a thorough cleaning and oral examination.
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