Gum Disease

What is Gum Disease (Periodontal Disease)?
Periodontal disease or simply gum disease,  is the single most common cause of tooth loss in adults.  This inflammatory disease attacks the gums, bone and other supporting structures of the teeth. 

What causes Gum Disease?
Gum disease is caused by plaque, a colorless film of bacteria that forms on the teeth.  Plaque mixes with sugars and starches in the diet to form acids and other by products in the mouth, irritating the gums and causing them to become red, tender and swollen.  It also causes the gums to bleed easily.  If not removed daily, plaque hardens to from calculus (tartar) around the necks of the teeth.

Other causes are:
Physical and chemical irritants - Impacted food, tobacco products, alcohol and the improper use of dental floss or toothpicks may irritate gum tissue
Abnormal oral conditions or habits --Badly aligned teeth, poorly fitted bridges or partial dentures, defective fillings and harmful habits, such as grinding the teeth and chewing ice can also cause problems
Unbalance diet -Evidence shows a link between nutritional deficiency and the body's ability to fight off infection
Pregnancy - Due to fluctuations in hormone levels, a temporary condition referred to as "pregnancy gingivitis" may occur
Certain medications - Oral contraceptives, anti-epilepsy drugs, drugs, steroids and cancer therapy drugs may have a negative effect
Certain diseases - Diabetes, uremia, live cirrhosis, anemia and leukemia are among the diseases that may affect the health of your gums
Calculus or tartar build up
Teeth that seem loose or that change position
Changes in your bite
Changes in the way your partial dentures fit
Bad breath or a chronic bad taste in your mouth
Teeth that are overly sensitive to hot and cold

What are the signs?

• Gums that bleed when your brush or floss your teeth
• Red, swollen or tender gums
• Gums that have receded or shrunken away from your teeth
• Pus between your teeth when your press your gums with your finger
• Pain when chewing

How do you diagnose Gum Disease?
A thorough oral examination, including x-rays, is crucial to diagnosing periodontal disease.  In most cases, we recommend and in office exam and tooth cleaning for all adults twice a year.  At that time, we may use a special instrument called a periodontal probe to measure the depth of the pocket between the tooth and the gum tissue.  The pocket depth measurement, clinical examination and x-rays help us determine the precise location, extent and severity of gum disease.

What type of treatment is available for Gum Disease?
The type of treatment you require depends on how advanced your particular case is.  Individualized treatment may include any of the following:

1. More frequent cleanings.  It may take the bacteria at the base of the pocket up to three months to colonize into numbers able to destroy bone.  Frequent cleanings can prevent this buildup
2. Scaling and root planing.  Scaling is removing the tartar deposits from your teeth.  Root planing is the smoothing of the root surfaces so that the gum tissue can reattach to the tooth
3. Curettage removes the soft tissue lining the periodontal pocket.  This helps the gum tissue to heal
4. Gingivectomy is the surgical removal of the periodontal pocket to allow easier access for cleaning
5. 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

How can I prevent from getting Gum Disease?
Good periodontal health starts with you.  Here's what you can do to prevent or control gum disease:

1. Thoroughly brush and floss your teeth every day
2. Eat a well balanced diet, avoiding sticky sweets and junk food
3. Examine your mouth routinely for any early signs of gum disease or other oral changes
4. Visit us twice a year for a thorough cleaning and oral examination.