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What is Gum Disease?
A common oral health concern among patients is gum (periodontal) disease. Even with diligent care at home, it is still possible to develop gum disease.
Gums form a protective seal around teeth, protecting their sensitive roots. Healthy gums are crucial for supporting teeth, no matter their condition. Gum disease develops from infections in the supporting tissues, and plaque can negatively impact the gums.
- Symptoms of Gum Disease
In some cases, you might not notice any symptoms of gum disease. However, some patients may experience symptoms that include:
- Receding gums
- Bleeding in your gums
- Persistent bad breath
- Red or purple gums
- Sore or swollen gums
- Diagnosis
To diagnose gum disease, your dentist will measure the depth of the pockets surrounding each tooth. Pockets deeper than 3 mm are considered hazardous and typically require treatment.
Regular dental exams allow your dentist to identify gum disease early and take preventive measures.
- Treatment
To address gum disease, we eliminate bacteria and debris that accumulate in the pockets around your teeth. These bacteria exist at a microscopic level.
The process of eliminating bacteria typically requires several visits to our office. Once the bacteria are removed, your dentist must regularly clean and maintain these pockets. Otherwise, bacteria may begin to damage the bone.
- Long-Term Care
If you have experienced gum or periodontal disease, it's important to always pay extra attention to your oral health.
In addition to practicing good hygiene at home, regular visits to our clinic are crucial for preventing the receding of bone in your mouth and jaw.
After the initial issue is treated, we will recommend that you attend periodontal maintenance appointments every three to four months.
Periodontal Specialists for 100 Mile House Patients
If you have advanced periodontitis, we may refer you to a periodontist for specialized treatment and management of periodontal (gum) disease.
Stages of Gum Disease
Gum disease progresses over time, and if not treated, it can worsen, resulting in significant negative effects on both oral and general health. The different stages of gum disease are as follows:
- Gingivitis
Bacteria left on the gums and teeth can grow out of control and produce toxins that irritate the gums.
When calculus, also known as tartar, develops along the gum line, it creates a rough surface where plaque can accumulate. This leads to irritation and swelling, resulting in bad breath or sore, bleeding gums.
Spaces between gum and teeth pockets can develop, but no bone damage occurs in this mild, reversible stage of periodontal disease.
Regular hygiene cleanings and exams are critical for maintaining the health of your gums. They also give your dentist the chance to check for developing gum disease.
- Periodontitis
Plaque, often called calculus, is the primary cause of periodontitis and is found below the gum line. This issue can lead to the deterioration of ligaments, resulting in gums detaching and pulling away from the teeth.
As the pockets deepen, they fill with more bacteria, and the bone's supportive ligaments start to become damaged, resulting in loose teeth.
- Advanced Periodontitis
The advanced stage of periodontitis leads to deep pockets that can sometimes fill with pus. Swelling may arise around the root, along with increased bone loss, which contributes to loose teeth.
Tooth extraction may be a necessary remedy to preserve your general oral health.
Surgical Gum Therapy (Gum Grafting)
During a gum graft procedure, your periodontist takes a small patch of specialized gum tissue from the roof of your mouth and transfers it to the area needing more gum coverage.
The tissue is attached with a specialized adhesive that adheres to and protects the new graft, allowing for healing to occur. The specialized adhesive also shields the roof of your mouth, an area that needs a few days to heal after the procedure.
Follow-up appointments are necessary to ensure that healing is taking place.