The word
periodontal means “around the
tooth.”
Periodontal disease attacks the
gums and the bone that support
the teeth. Plaque is a
sticky film of food debris,
bacteria, and saliva. If
plaque is not removed, it turns
into calculus (tartar).
When plaque and calculus are not
removed, they begin to destroy
the gums and bone.
Periodontal disease is
characterized by red, swollen,
and bleeding gums.
Four out of
five people have periodontal
disease and don’t know it!
Most people are
not aware of it because the
disease is usually painless in
the early stages.
Not only is it the
number one reason for tooth loss,
research suggests that there may
be a link between periodontal
disease and other diseases such
as, stroke, bacterial pneumonia,
diabetes, cardiovascular
disease, and increased risk
during pregnancy.
Researchers are determining if
inflammation and bacteria
associated with periodontal
disease affects these systemic
diseases and conditions.
Smoking also increases the risk
of periodontal disease.
Good oral
hygiene, a balanced diet, and
regular dental visits can help
reduce your risk of developing
periodontal disease.
Signs and symptoms of
periodontal disease:
Periodontal disease is
diagnosed by your dentist or
dental hygienist during a
periodontal examination.
This type of exam should always
be part of your regular dental
check-up.
A periodontal probe
(small dental instrument) is
gently used to measure the
sulcus (pocket or space) between
the tooth and the gums.
The depth of a healthy sulcus
measures three millimeters or
less and does not bleed. The
periodontal probe helps indicate
if pockets are deeper than three
millimeters. As
periodontal disease progresses,
the pockets usually get deeper.
Your dentist or
hygienist will use pocket
depths, amount of bleeding,
inflammation, tooth mobility,
etc., to make a diagnosis that
will fall into a category below:
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the first
stage of periodontal disease.
Plaque and its toxin by-products
irritate the gums, making them
tender, inflamed, and likely to
bleed.
Periodontitis
Plaque hardens into
calculus (tartar). As
calculus and plaque continue to
build up, the gums begin to
recede from the teeth.
Deeper pockets form between the
gums and teeth and become filled
with bacteria and pus. The
gums become very irritated,
inflamed, and bleed easily.
Slight to moderate bone loss may
be present.
Advanced
Periodontitis
The teeth lose more
support as the gums, bone, and
periodontal ligament continue to
be destroyed. Unless
treated, the affected teeth will
become very loose and may be
lost. Generalized moderate
to severe bone loss may be
present.
Treatment
Periodontal
treatment methods depend upon
the type and severity of the
disease. Your
dentist and dental hygienist
will evaluate for periodontal
disease and recommend the
appropriate treatment.
Periodontal
disease progresses as
the sulcus (pocket or space)
between the tooth and gums gets
filled with bacteria, plaque,
and tartar, causing irritation
to the surrounding tissues.
When these irritants remain in
the pocket space, they can cause
damage to the gums and
eventually, the bone that
supports the teeth!
If the disease
is caught in the early stages of
gingivitis, and no
damage has been done, one to two
regular cleanings will be
recommended. You will also
be given instructions on
improving your daily oral
hygiene habits and having
regular dental cleanings.
If the disease
has progressed to more advanced
stages, a special
periodontal cleaning called
scaling and root planing (deep
cleaning) will be recommended.
It is usually done one quadrant
of the mouth at a time while the
area is numb. In this
procedure, tartar, plaque, and
toxins are removed from above
and below the gum line (scaling)
and rough spots on root surfaces
are made smooth (planing).
This procedure helps gum tissue
to heal and pockets to shrink.
Medications, special medicated
mouth rinses, and an electric
tooth brush may be recommended
to help control infection and
healing.
If the pockets do not
heal after scaling and
root planing, periodontal
surgery may be needed to reduce
pocket depths, making teeth
easier to clean. Your dentist
may also recommend that you see
a Periodontist (specialist of
the gums and supporting bone).
Maintenance
It only takes
twenty four hours for
plaque that is not
removed from your teeth
to turn into calculus
(tartar)!
Daily home cleaning
helps control plaque and
tartar formation, but
those hard to reach
areas will always need
special attention.
Once your
periodontal treatment
has been completed, your
dentist and dental
hygienist will recommend
that you have regular
maintenance cleanings
(periodontal cleanings),
usually four times a
year. At these
cleaning appointments,
the pocket depths will
be carefully checked to
ensure that they are
healthy. Plaque
and calculus that is
difficult for you to
remove on a daily basis
will be removed from
above and below the gum
line.
In addition to your
periodontal cleaning and
evaluation, your
appointment will usually
include:
-
Examination of
diagnostic
x-rays
(radiographs):
Essential for
detection of
decay, tumors,
cysts, and bone
loss.X-rays also
help determine
tooth and root
positions.
-
Oral cancer
screening: Check
the face, neck,
lips, tongue,
throat, cheek
tissues, and
gums for any
signs of oral
cancer.
-
Oral hygiene
recommendations:
Review and
recommend oral
hygiene aids as
needed.
(Electric
toothbrushes,
special
periodontal
brushes,
fluorides,
rinses, etc.)
Good
oral hygiene practices
and periodontal
cleanings are essential
in maintaining dental
health and keeping
periodontal disease
under control!
Remember, your
smile speaks before you even say
a word!