Protect Your Gums Save Your Teeth
Periodontal (gum) disease is insidious. It is an infection of the gums that starts out as plaque, an opaque film on the teeth that hardens to form tartar. As tartar accumulates, it harbors bacteria that attack the soft tissue around the gums. This is the early stage of gum disease known as Gingivitis. Left untreated, Gingivitis becomes Periodontitis which ultimately destroys the tissue surrounding your teeth AND the bone that holds your teeth in place. Except for bad breath and gums that bleed, there are very few early warning signals. The disease advances silently, often without pain, and before you know it, you are losing your teeth and you don't know why.
Common Types of Periodontal Disease
When untreated, gingivitis can progress to more serious conditions below the gum line. Toxins from plaque irritate the gums, causing inflammation that leads to the breakdown of bone and soft tissue. As the disease worsens, teeth may appear to separate from the gums, with deeper pockets forming as soft tissue and bone are destroyed.
Main Types of Periodontal Disease
- Chronic Periodontitis – The most common form, causing inflammation and deep pockets, leading to gum recession and progressive attachment loss.
- Aggressive Periodontitis – Occurs in otherwise healthy individuals, marked by rapid gum attachment loss and bone destruction, often running in families.
- Necrotizing Periodontitis – Seen in individuals with systemic conditions like HIV or malnutrition, this type leads to tissue death in the periodontal ligament, bone, and gums.
- Periodontitis from Systemic Disease – Often begins at a young age and is linked to conditions such as diabetes, respiratory disease, and heart disease.
Effective Treatments for Periodontal Disease
The treatment for periodontal disease depends on the specific condition of the teeth, gums, and jawbone. A thorough periodontal exam is performed before recommending any treatment.
Common Treatments for Periodontal Disease
- Scaling and Root Planing – Removal of bacteria and tartar to clean gum pockets and treat the infection. Antibiotics or prescription mouthwash may be used for further treatment.
- Tissue Regeneration – Grafting procedures and membranes are used to regenerate bone and gum tissues that have been destroyed.
- Pocket Elimination Surgery – A surgical procedure to reduce gum pockets and eliminate bone indentations where bacteria can grow.
- Dental Implants – When teeth are lost, prosthetic teeth are implanted into the jawbone to restore mouth function and appearance. Tissue regeneration may be needed beforehand to strengthen the bone.
