Gum Disease
What is gingivitis?
Gingivitis is a form of gum disease that happens when plaque, a naturally-occurring sticky film containing bacteria, builds up on teeth and causes the inflammation of the surrounding gum tissue. Plaque produces toxins that irritate the gums. This can cause the gums to become inflamed, making them red or puffy, or causing them to bleed. This harmful plaque bacteria can even lead to issues beyond gingivitis like weakened tooth enamel. Even with regular brushing, it's important to make sure you’re taking care of your gum line, because a healthy mouth starts there.
What is periodontal disease?
Untreated gingivitis can advance to periodontitis. With time, plaque can spread and grow below the gum line. Toxins produced by the bacteria in plaque irritate the gums. The toxins stimulate a chronic inflammatory response in which the body in essence turns on itself, and the tissues and bone that support the teeth are broken down and destroyed. 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.
Symptoms
Periodontal disease, once progressed, should be easy to spot. If you notice red, swollen, and soft gums, there’s a good chance you already have some form of gum disease. You may also experience gum soreness, sensitivity to touch, or bleeding. If you notice any of these symptoms, see your dentist immediately. We’ll help you prevent the disease from spreading and causing further damage to teeth, gums and the supporting jaw bone.
Treatment
If your dentist notices signs of gum disease, the goal will be to keep the disease under control. Depending on how far the disease has progressed, they may recommend behavioral modifications, increased frequency of cleaning appointments or a deep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing. Regular periodontal care is a must. In some cases, you may also be prescribed an antibacterial mouth rinse, or even require gum surgery. Measuring pocket depths regularly allows us to keep tabs on disease progression. Ideal pocket depths are 3mm or less.
Prevention
As with most diseases, prevention is by far the best treatment for gingivitis and periodontal disease. If you haven’t yet experienced symptoms, make sure you get regular dental check-ups and routine cleanings. This will help prevent disease-causing plaque from building up on the surface of your teeth and gums. With regular, professional dental care and good oral hygiene, you can prevent the plaque that causes more serious gum disease, or catch it before it leads to further complications such as tooth loss.