GUM CARE

Healthy teeth and gums are essential for good overall health (simply having clean teeth is not enough). Healthy gums are pink in color and hug tightly around the base of the tooth. There should not be any bleeding when brushing and/or flossing.

Flossing, rinsing with mouthwash, brushing, and regular dental visits are vital in keeping both teeth and gums healthy.

PERIODONTAL (GUM) DISEASE

Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums noted by inflammation, redness, swelling, bleeding, and tenderness. The more advanced stages include bad breath and mobile teeth. All of these symptoms worsen as the stage of the disease progresses.

Periodontal disease is caused by harmful bacteria and food particles that are left in the mouth. Over a short period of time, they form a sticky, colorless plaque that accumulates around teeth. If this plaque is not removed by flossing and brushing, it can harden and form tartar. Tartar harbors more harmful bacteria, and can only be removed by a dental professional.

CAUSES

  • Poor oral hygiene
  • Poor eating habits
  • Not seeing a dentist regularly
  • Tobacco use (smoking, chewing tobacco, etc.)
  • High levels of stress
  • Certain diseases and medications (diabetes, AIDS, etc.)
  • Hormonal changes (women/girls)

STAGES

  • Gingivitis: This is the first and most common stage. Symptoms include gum tenderness and slight bleeding when flossing or brushing. This stage of periodontal disease is reversible if detected early and treated by a dental professional.
  • Periodontitis: This is the more advanced stage of gingivitis. It occurs when more and more plaque and tartar build up around teeth. Both are slowly progressing towards the roots of teeth under the gum line, causing gums to pull away and bone to be destroyed. At this point, gums bleed easily, begin receding, and become tender to the touch. This stage is not reversible, but can be managed with proper dental visits and at-home care.
  • Advanced Periodontitis: The final stage of this disease leads to tooth loss. Tartar and plaque build up is so extensive that supporting gum fibers and bone are destroyed. Teeth are loose and may fall out on their own and gums bleed heavily. There is constant bad breath. Symptoms that arose with the earlier stages become worse, and may include changes in bite, plus swelling and pus leakage from gums.

TREATMENT

Treatments include:

  • More frequent dental visits (every three to four months instead of every six months).
  • Scaling and root planing: A procedure which involves scaling to scrape off tartar and plaque from roots of teeth, and root planing to smooth rough surfaces of the roots.
  • Antibacterial medication, in order to kill the bacteria known to cause and aggravate periodontal disease. These may be administered locally (such as Arestin®) by a dental professional at the site of the infection, or prescribed to be taken orally.
  • Surgery may become necessary if the disease is not brought under control by scaling and root planing and the use of antibacterial medications. Infected gums are surgically pulled back, the dentist removes all tartar and infection, and the flap is sutured back to its original position. Bone and tissue grafting may be required to replace tissue destroyed by the disease.