Gum Disease
Periodontal, or gum disease is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth. If left untreated, gum disease can lead to tooth loss. There are two phases of gum disease; Gingivitis and Periodontitis.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the initial, mildest form of periodontal disease. The visible symptoms are red, swollen, possibly bleeding gums, as well as bad breath. Though symptoms are visible, there is usually little or no discomfort. Gingivitis is often caused by inadequate oral hygiene. Gingivitis is reversible with professional treatment, followed by good oral home care.
Periodontitis
Left untreated, gingivitis can advance to periodontitis. At this stage, plaque spreads, advancing below the gum line, with toxins produced by the bacteria in the plaque causing gum irritation. These toxins continue to be produced, eventually creating inflammation that causes the tissues and bone that support the teeth to break down and erode.
Eventually, the gums separate from the teeth, forming pockets (spaces between the teeth and gums) that become infected. As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed. Often, this destructive process has very mild symptoms. Eventually, teeth can become loose and may have to be removed.
Treatment
At Smiles by Design, the treatment needed to resolve a gum disease issue is dependent upon the type of periodontal disease and how far the condition has progressed. A more advance therapeutic cleaning may take care of the problem.
For more advance stages of periodontal disease, a type of treatment called
scaling may be necessary to treat the problem. This involves cleaning the deposits that are attached to the roots of the teeth under the gum line. This procedure is done under general anesthetic, and takes a number of visits to complete. Often, antibiotics and prescription mouth rinses are recommended. Using
oral irrigating devices and/or electric toothbrushes like Braun™, and Sonicare™ may also prove to be beneficial.
A new treatment of periodontal disease involves the use of lasers. We have found by using a laser to sterilize the periodontal pockets in conjunction with use of root planning and scaling will prevent needed surgery in many of our patients with very advance stages of the disease.
If deep pockets are found and bone has been destroyed, this is a sign of advanced periodontal disease. Your dentist at Smiles by Design may recommend periodontal surgery. At that point, references for a periodontal surgeon will be provided.
