Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, represents an infection of the gingival tissues that anchor the teeth. When people do not floss or brush regularly, plaque, a sticky bacterial film, accumulates on the teeth and hardens. In the advanced states, gum disease triggers chewing problems, bleeding gums, and soreness.
How Plaque Forms in the Mouth
Because the mouth is filled with bacteria, it, along with food particles and mucus, constantly forms colourless yet sticky plaque. Only flossing and brushing remove plaque. When plaque is not brushed away, it hardens into tartar, which brushing cannot remove. Only a dentist can remove tartar through a professional dental cleaning.
Why You Should Not Smoke
Whilst a number of factors increase the risk of gum disease, smoking definitely worsens the problem. Also, if a patient continues to smoke, gum disease treatment becomes more difficult. According to periodontal professionals at dental practices such as Central Periodontics, other risk factors include hormonal changes in women, medications that reduce saliva flow, diabetes, and immune illnesses such as AIDS.
Debridement
You may need to undergo debridement (an advanced cleaning) if you have a problem with halitosis or bad breath or your gums are red, swollen, or bleeding. Gum disease also makes chewing painful and leads to sensitive or loose teeth. Recession may be a problem as well.
Measuring the Gingival Pockets
When you visit a periodontist’s office, the hygienist or dentist will closely examine the gums and check for inflammation. He or she uses a probe to measure pockets around the teeth, which should be about one to three millimetres in a healthy mouth. Testing the pocket depth is normally painless.
Reviewing Your Medical History
A periodontist will also ask that you provide your medical history to identify any health conditions that may be contributing to the periodontal disease. X-rays are taken to identify bone loss. After an assessment and diagnosis have been made, the dentist focuses on controlling the gum infection. The treatment may vary depending on the severity of the condition.
When gingivitis goes untreated, it advances to periodontitis. Periodontitis, or advanced gum disease, leads to inflammation around each tooth. When this occurs, the gums start to pull away from the teeth and form pockets or spaces that become infected.
A Progressive Disease
Afterwards, bacterial toxins begin to break down the connective tissue and bone that hold the teeth in place. You need to see a periodontist immediately or before this stage to save your teeth or improve your dental health.
Most people do not show signs of periodontal disease until they are in their 30s or 40s. Men have gum disease more often than women. Scaling and root planing (debridement) will help in treating the disease. Also, surgery or medications support the therapy.