GUM DISEASE
Healthy gums appear coral pink, firm and form a sharp point where they meet the tooth. When excessive amounts of bacteria and food debris build up in the spaces between the teeth and gums, a sticky material called plaque is formed.
Gum disease is a slowly progressing infection that is usually painless in its early stages, most likely the reason people don't get treatment until it is too late. Three in four adults over the age of 35 already ave some form of gum disease. It is TOTALLY preventable and can be treated if caught in the early stages.
Gum disease is the most common cause of tooth loss, not decay as most people think. It is caused by plaque, film of bacteria that constantly forms on the teeth. If this plaque is not removed on a daily basis, it will get mineralized to form a stony crust called calculus or tartar. It is not possible for you to remove this calculus - your dentist will use a special instrument called a scaler to remove it. These bacteria create toxins that can damage the gums and bone.
If you do not receive professional cleaning to halt the spread of gingivitis, the infection will spread from the gums to the ligaments and bone supporting the teeth. The tissues and ligaments will be destroyed; infections are likely to develop, causing a gum abscess, a collection of pus and swelling of gum tissues. Teeth may become loose and the gums may recede, creating increased spaces between teeth.
| There are two stages of gum disease: |
| •Gingivitis |
| •Periodontitis |
Symptoms of Gingivitis include redness and swelling of gum tissue, bleeding gums - especially when brushing, and bad breath odor that doesn't go away.
| Preventing gingivitis begins at home: |
| • Brushing and flossing will remove plaque. |
| • Rinsing with an anti-microbial rinse to remove excess bateria. |
| • Professional cleanings during routine dental visits remove tartar which harbors and nurtures the proliferation of the undesirable bacteria. |
| • If left unchecked, however, gingivitis may progress to periodontal disease or periodontitis. |
Periodontitis is an infection of the underlying bone. Periodontal disease is primarily caused by a "silent" and "painless" bacterial infection of the bone and ligaments which hold the teeth in place. Symptoms often do not appear until later stages. Some of the signs may be:
| • Spacing between teeth | • Pain or other discomfort | |
| • Loose or Moving Teeth | • Receding gums |
When enough bone has been lost, the tooth will become loose. The progress of the disease depends on individual health and resistance to disease. There may be no activity for years, and then when resistance decreases temporarily, gum disease appears or flares-up.
Treatment of Periodontitis is done via Scaling and Root Planing, otherwise known as a "deep cleaning."
| This is a careful cleaning of the root surfaces to remove plaque and calculus (tartar) from deep periodontal pockets and to smooth the tooth root to remove bacteral toxins. |  |
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| Along with this treatment we will mostly like recommend additional treatment with dental antibiotic called Arestin(R)*. The drug is placed inside affected gum pockets just after the deep cleaning procedure. It is a powder that adheres to the gum tissue and has a sustained release over 21 days so that is will continue killing bacteria and help to heal the infected tissues. Studies and in-office experience has shown marked success in the treatment of periodontal disease when these treatments are used in conjuction with each other. |
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* Cannot be used if patient is allergic to the antibiotic Tetracycline.
Severely advanced cases of periodontitis may require oral surgery. This involves cutting the gums—sometimes with the assistance of a laser—to remove the hardened plaque build-up and then recontouring the damaged bone. The procedure also is designed to smooth root surfaces and reposition the gum tissue so it will be easier to keep clean. This procedure may be performed by your general dentist or by a specialist, like a periodontist.
See your Dentist immediately if you notice:
• gums bleed when you brush your teeth
• red, swollen or tender gums
• gums have pulled away from the teeth
• bad breath that doesn't go away
• pus between your teeth and gums
• loose teeth
• a change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
• a change in the fit of partial dentures
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