Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums and of the supportive tissues around your teeth. Bacteria’s by-product also eats away at the bone, causing bone loss and disrupting the structure of your teeth. As the disease progresses, teeth become loose and may fall out or require extraction, primarily because of the bone loss. There are several different forms of periodontal disease, each requiring different methods of treatment.
- Gingival Diseases
- Chronic Periodontitis
- Aggressive Periodontitis
- Periodontitis as a Manifestation of Systemic Diseases
Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, affecting 75% of people at some point in their lifetimes. It can be treated successfully if detected in time. Treating and preventing gum disease brings great health benefits. By retaining your natural teeth, you can chew more comfortably and retain a healthy smile. You can save money, pain, and time by preventing future dental problems.
Typically, periodontal disease does not appear until one's 30's or 40's. On rare occasions teenagers can develop a form of aggressive periodontitis formerly known as juvenile periodontitis. If left untreated, it can easily develop into periodontal disease and be harder to correct.
Periodontal Disease Symptoms
You could have periodontal disease and not even know it. Periodontal disease has few symptoms that are associated only with the disease. The following are some symptoms that are often present:
- Bad breath
- Red or swollen gums
- Gums that are tender or bleed easily
- Painful chewing (seen in more advanced stages)
- Loose or separating teeth
- Sensitive teeth
- A partial denture fit has changed
Conditions that Negatively Effect your Gum Health
- Smoking
Smokers are two to seven times more likely to develop periodontitis than nonsmokers because they have a weakened immune response and less oxygen is present in the mouth. - Diabetes
If one's blood sugar level is poorly controlled, then there is a higher likelihood of infection and bone and connective will deteriorate more quickly. - Stress
This increases certain hormones that make a person more susceptible to infection. Pregnancy and birth control pills can also increase hormone levels. - Medications
Steroids, anti-seizure medicines, cancer medicines, and blood pressure medicines can all affect the gums. Some drugs decrease the flow of saliva, irritating the mouth and making it prone to infection. - Poor Nutrition
When the proper nutrients are not being put into your system, its harder for your immune system to fight off infection. - Genetics
Some people are more genetically predisposed to severe periodontal disease than others.
Is There a Cure?
There is no cure except to extract the tooth, but periodontal disease can be effectively contained to prevent further discomfort. Prevention and early detection are your best defenses against this life-long disease. It is important to spot and treat gum disease early before severe destruction of the bone and tissue occur.
Treatment and Prevention
Usually, the first approach to countering periodontal disease is scaling and root planning, a non-surgical treatment. When this is unable to reduce the pockets around the tooth to a manageable level, periodontal surgery will be recommended. There are several types of periodontal surgery: osseous surgery, bone regeneration, and gum grafting. If teeth are lost due to periodontal disease, dental implants or partials are options in replacing the missing teeth.
In order for the periodontal treatment to be successful, one must maintain good oral hygiene (brushing and flossing) and regularly visit your dentist and periodontist. Daily brushing and flossing can keep plaque to a minimum combined with professional cleanings 2-4 times a year, you can manage periodontal disease for life.
For more information regarding periodontal disease, consult the following links from the American Academy of Periodontology: