Gum disease (Periodontics)

What causes gum disease?

Our mouth is full of bacteria. These bacteria, along with food particles, mucus and others form a sticky layer called dental plaque on teeth. Good home routine like brushing and flossing will clean away the plaque. However, plaque that is not removed can harden and form dental calculus ‘tartar’ that brushing doesn’t clean. Once formed, only a dentist can remove tartar.

Gingivitis

Plaque and tartar on teeth contains bacteria that cause inflammation of the gums and the process is called ‘gingivitis’. If you suffer from gingivitis, the gums become red, swollen and can bleed easily. Gingivitis is very common in both adults and children. Fortunately, it is the early stage of gum disease and can be easily reversed or prevented with proper dental care and oral hygiene practices daily. This is not form of gum disease does not include any loss of bone and tissue that hold teeth in place.

Preparing yourself to Get rid of Gum Disease

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Periodontitis

If gingivitis were left untreated, the surface inflammation of gingivitis would track down to the supporting bone leading to a more advanced stage of gum disease called ‘periodontitis’. In periodontitis, the gums pull away from the teeth and form spaces (called ‘pockets’) that become infected and resulting in the destruction of surrounding bone. This may lead to loosening of teeth and eventual loss of teeth. Periodontitis related tooth loss is not age specific. Although, rare in children, it can happen in younger adults as well as older people. This destruction of gums and bone can be arrested with timely professional treatment and improved home care, but the damage is irreversible.

Risk factors

– Smoking: Why should you stop smoking? Studies have shown that smoking adversely affect your gum health and impedes healing. Smoking decreases the chances for successful treatment.

– Hormonal changes in females: These changes can make gums more susceptible to gingivitis

– Diabetes: People with diabetes are at higher risk for developing gum disease

– Medications: Medications that reduces salivary flow makes the mouth more vulnerable to infection and gum disease as saliva has a protective effect in the mouth. Some medications can cause abnormal overgrowth of gum tissue is more susceptible to gum disease

– Genetic: Some people are more prone to severe gum disease than others.

How is gum disease treated?

The goal of treatment when managing gum disease is to remove bacterial plaque and dental tartar, which is the main cause of the disease. The number and types of treatment may vary depending on the extent and severity of gum disease. However, the success of any treatment heavily relies on your home care routine in keeping your teeth clean.

The dentist removes plaque and calculus through a deep-cleaning method called scaling and root planing. This method involves using instruments such as ultrasonic scalers, hand scalers and other tools to clean the roots of the teeth to ensure the teeth and surrounding tissue are clean. Sometimes fillings or crowns that are defective have to be changed to reduce plaque accumulation. Healing of the gum is then reassessed in about 6 weeks.

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