WHAT IS PERIODONTAL DISEASE?
Periodontal disease is an inflammatory disease of the tissues that support teeth. This inflammation occurs as the body tries to defend itself against attack by bacterial infection.
What causes periodontal disease? Anyone who has any of their natural teeth has a vast number and variety of bacteria in their mouth. These bacteria form a sticky film on the teeth called plaque and produce toxins that irritate the periodontal tissues causing inflammation. This inflammation is periodontal disease and can result in bleeding gums, gum recession, infections, and bone or tooth loss. Bad breath and shifting of the teeth are also common symptoms. Scientific studies have also linked heart disease and low birth weights to periodontal disease. Some studies have even suggested that intimate family members transmit the causative bacteria.
What can be done about it? Nightly brushing and flossing are essential, but even the most painstaking home care will not remove all the plaque on and around your teeth. What remains hardens into a substance called calculus, or tartar, that is even more of an irritant, which can only be removed by a teeth cleaning in the dental office. Tartar that is left on teeth for a significant amount of time, especially under the gumline, will cause periodontal disease.
There are two main phases of periodontal disease - gingivitis and periodontitis (anytime a word ends in -itis it means "inflammation of"). Gingivitis is the early stage of periodontal disease when plaque has caused inflammation of the gum (gingival) tissue alone. Red, bleeding gums that may be swollen or tender are the most common signs of gingivitis. Conscientious home care after our hygienist has cleaned your teeth will usually eliminate this form of periodontal disease.
Periodontitis occurs when bacterial toxins and the resulting inflammation destroy the ligaments that attach gum tissue to the teeth and jaw. This destruction creates pockets under the gumline where bacteria and food particles can accumulate and fester—a periodontal infection. If left unchecked, this condition can leave teeth so unsupported that they become loose and either fall out or require extraction. Every time our hygienist cleans your teeth she checks for these pockets by using a periodontal probe that she places underneath your gums at several points around each tooth to gauge their health.
When periodontitis is diagnosed, a deeper cleaning (called scaling and root planing) to remove tartar and other accumulations from the pockets may be needed. Antibiotics and antimicrobial rinses may also be used. In more advanced disease conditions, you may be advised to consult with a periodontist. Prevention remains the best defense against periodontal disease, with a routine of regular office visits and consistent home care.