Periodontal Diseases: What You Need To Know

 

What are periodontal diseases?

The word “periodontal” literally means “around the tooth.” Periodontal diseases are bacterial gum infections that destroy the attachment fibers and supporting bone that hold your teeth in your mouth. The main cause of these diseases is bacterial plaque, a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on you teeth. Daily home oral care, including proper brushing and flossing, is a must to prevent plaque build-up.

If plaque is not removed, it can turn into a hard substance called calculus in less than two days. Calculus is so hard it can only be removed during a professional cleaning. If calculus develops below the gums onto the tooth root, it makes plaque removal more difficult, leaving you at increased risk for periodontal diseases.

Toxins (or poisons) produced by the bacteria in plaque irritate the gums, causing infection. These toxins also can destroy the supporting tissues around the teeth, including the bone.

When this happens, gums separate from the teeth, forming pockets that full with even more plaque and more infections. As the diseases progress, these pockets deepen, more gum tissue and bone are destroyed, and the teeth eventually become loose. If periodontal diseases are not treated, the teeth may need to be removed.

Periodontal diseases can affect one tooth or many teeth. For example, your front teeth may not show signs of periodontal diseases while a tooth in the back of your mouth may become loose due to severe disease progression.

There are many forms of periodontal diseases. The most common ones include:

Gingivitis
The mildest form of the diseases, gingivitis causes the gums to become red, swell and bleed easily. There is usually little or no discomfort at this stage. Gingivitis is reversible with professional treatment and good home oral care.

 

Mild Periodontitis
If gingivitis is left untreated, it can advance to periodontitis. In the mild stage, periodontal diseases begin to destroy the bone and tissue that support the teeth.

Mild Periodontitis

Moderate-Advanced Periodontitis
In the mid-stages, periodontal diseases can lead to more bone and tissue destruction. The most advanced form of these diseases includes extensive bone and tissue loss. Teeth often become loose and may have to be removed.

Moderate - Advanced Periodontitis

What other factors might contribute to periodontal diseases?

Although plaque is the primary cause of periodontal diseases, other factors can affect the health of your gums, including:

Smoking/Tobacco Use
Tobacco users are more likely to get periodontal diseases and suffer from the more severe forms. Also, healing following therapy may take more time.

Pregnancy and Puberty
Some hormonal changes can cause the gums to become red and tender and bleed easily. Any pre-existing periodontal diseases can become more severe.

Stress
Stress can make it more difficult for the body to fight off infection, including periodontal diseases.

Medications
Some drugs, such as oral contraceptives, antidepressants and certain heart medicines, can affect oral health. You should always inform your dental care professional of the medicines you are taking and any changes in your health history.

Clenching or Grinding Your Teeth
These habits can put excess force on the supporting tissues of the teeth and could speed up the rate at which these tissues are destroyed.

Diabetes
Periodontal diseases can be more severe in uncontrolled diabetics. In addition, untreated periodontal diseases can make it harder for uncontrolled diabetics to keep their diabetes under control.

Poor Nutrition
A diet low in important nutrients also can make it harder for the body to fight off infections.

Systemic Diseases
Diseases that interfere with the body’s immune system may worsen the condition of the gums.

What are the signs of periodontal diseases?

The following are the most common symptoms of periodontal diseases:

You may have periodontal diseases and not have any of these symptoms. Most people don’t experience pain with periodontal diseases.

If you have any of the above symptoms, you should see a periodontist for a complete periodontal evaluation. Many people over the age of 35 develop periodontal diseases.

A periodontist is a specialist in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases and in the planning placement and maintenance of dental implants.

During a periodontal examination, a small measuring probe is gently placed between your tooth and gum to assess your periodontal health. Current x-rays also are viewed to observe the health of the bone below your gums. If you don’t know the state of your periodontal health, you should ask.

What is the treatment for periodontal diseases?

Once your periodontal health has been evaluated, your periodontist will work with you to determine the treatment options that are best to arrest your disease and bring you back to health.

Depending on how far the diseases have progressed, treatment can vary widely. If caught in the early stages, simple procedures are done that will remove the plaque and calculus from below the gumline and eliminate the infection-causing bacteria. If these diseases have advanced to the point where the periodontal pockets are deep and the supporting bone is lost, further treatment might be necessary.

Whatever the treatment may entail, the goal is to return you to good oral health and then help you maintain it.

Benefits of periodontal treatment include fresh breath, a more youthful appearance, the ability to chew your food more easily and, most importantly, healthy gums that are free from infection.

Supportive Periodontal Treatment (SPT)
Once the diseases have been arrested, patients are seen regularly for supportive periodontal treatment. This ongoing phase of treatment will allow your periodontist to assess your periodontal health and make sure your infection stays under control. During SPT, your mouth is examined, new calculus and plaque are removed, and, if necessary, your teeth are polished and your bite is checked.

Periodontal diseases are chronic diseases, just like diabetes. Without careful, ongoing treatment, diseases can and often do recur.

How can periodontal diseases be prevented?

To keep your teeth for a life-time, you must remove the plaque from you teeth and gums every day be brushing and flossing. Review how you brush and floss with your dental professional. He or she can help you fine-tune your technique, so that your at-home efforts are even more effective.

Regular dental visits also are important. Daily cleaning will keep calculus formation to a minimum, but it won’t completely prevent it. A professional cleaning at least twice a year is necessary to remove calculus from places your toothbrush, floss and other cleaning aids may have missed. If you’ve had periodontal diseases and have been treated, you may need professional maintenance more frequently.

Remember, good oral hygiene and regular professional care are the keys to preventing periodontal diseases. Teeth were meant to last a lifetime, and with a little tender, loving care, they can.