Gum disease (periodontitis) is a serious gum infection that causes damage to the soft tissue around the teeth. When this condition is not treated, periodontitis can destroy the bones that support your teeth. This can cause tooth loss or loose teeth. Gum disease is a common condition, but it is very preventable.
The common symptoms of gum disease are:
Gum disease is almost always caused by poor dental hygiene. You will need to brush at least twice a day and floss once a day to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Regular dental check-ups and cleanings are also recommended.
Gum disease usually begins due to the formation of plaque build-up on the teeth. This sticky substance is created by bacteria in the mouth that are intensified by food and sugars when you eat. The plaque can harden over time into tartar that stays on your teeth. This substance is much more difficult to remove without professional cleaning tools.
Plaque and tartar are both filled with bacteria that can damage your teeth and gums. Over time being exposed to these bacteria, your gums will develop gingivitis. This gum health issue is caused by inflammation, and it can cause the gums to recede from the teeth. Over time, gum disease can lead to infections in the gums, lost teeth, and cavities.
The risk factors for gum disease are:
Gum disease is usually diagnosed by a dentist. However, a doctor can also recognize the symptoms and signs of this condition. The medical professional who is examining you will look at your gums and teeth and look for signs of tartar build-up or infection. They will also ask about medications that you might be taking or medical conditions that you might have.
Measurements of the depth of the pockets between the gums and teeth will be taken using a dental probe. This helps to diagnose the severity of your gum disease. In healthy mouths, the pocket depth around the teeth should be between 1 and 3 mm. Pockets that are deeper than 4 mm can indicate early-stage gum disease. Pockets that are deeper than 5 mm can be impossible to clean at home with regular dental care. Dental x-rays will likely also be taken to look for signs of cavities and bone infections.
Treatment of gum disease will need to be handled by a dentist. The first step in taking care of this condition is to get a professional dental cleaning. This process involves scraping tartar and plaque off of your teeth and scaling the teeth to remove bacteria that might be below the gumline.
Root planning can be done to smooth the root surfaces and prevent bacteria from sticking to the teeth roots. This helps the gums reattach to the teeth. Antibiotics might be necessary to make sure that your gum infection resolves rapidly. Oral antibiotics, as well as antibiotic rinses, might be necessary to make sure that your gums heal as quickly as possible.
In some cases, surgery will be necessary to replace damaged gum tissue with tissue grafts. Bone grafts might also be needed to help protect tooth roots and prevent further loss of teeth. Diseased teeth related to your gum disease might need to be pulled, and cavities might also need to be pulled.
Prevention of gum disease is often as simple as taking care of your teeth on a daily basis. If you have a health condition that is leading to your gum disease, you might need to work with a dental specialist to help prevent long-term gum disease and damage to your teeth. Making sure to brush your teeth after every meal and floss at least once a day can make it much less likely that you will develop gum disease. Having a professional dental cleaning at least once a year can also go a long way toward preventing gum disease.