Gingivitis Periodontitis And Gum Disease
What Is Plaque
It is a sticky mixture of food particles, bacteria and mucus.
What Is Gingivitis
It is a mild form of gum disease.
If caught and treated in its early stages brushing and flossing may remove much of the tartar and plaque but dental visits still may be required for a full assessment.
When Gingivitis is left untreated it can progress to Periodontal disease called Periodontitis (also known aw Pyorrhea).
Causes Of Gingivitis
- Plaque
- Tartar
Symptoms Of Gingivitis
- Gum separating from teeth
- Swollen or bleeding gums
- Gum sensitivity
- Bad breath
- Mouth ulcers
Types Of Gingivitis
- Chronic lengthy duration, slow, painless
- Sub acute less severe than acute
- Acute sudden painful onset, short-lived
- Recurrent returns after treatment
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What Is Periodontitis
In the early stages there may be no pain or warning signs. The infection is caused by a build up of plaque and tartar (also known as calculus) that becomes harden under the gums. As the infection progresses pockets form and the teeth eventually pull away (or recede) from the gums. When the bone that holds teeth firmly in place deteriorate from the infection teeth can fall out.
In its later stages surgery may be required to repair damaged tissue in hopes of saving as many teeth as possible.
At this point pain may cause difficulty eating and abscess (or pus) may be visible.
Symptoms of Periodontal Disease
- Swollen or tender gums
- Dentures not fitting
- Gums bleeding while brushing or flossing
- Receding gums (gums separating from teeth)
- Teeth becoming loose
- Breath odor
- Changes in jaw alignment
Causes Of Periodontal Disease
- Bad dental hygiene
- Tobacco
- Smoking
- Oral Contraceptives
- Pregnancy
- Medications
- Diabetes
- Bad Diet
Types Of Periodontitis
- Aggressive rapid bone destruction and tissue attachment
- Chronic slow bone loss, inflammation in tooth supporting structures, pocket formation
- Caused by systemic disease (Leukemia, Diabetes and genetic, etc…)
- Necrotizing severe destroys, tooth ligaments, gum tissue and bone , pain, bleeding, breath odor, metallic taste
- Refractory advanced unresponsive to treatment
- Localized Aggressive Periodontitis (also known as Localized Juvenile Periodontitis or LAP affecting children and adolescents destruction of the first molars and incisors)
- Moderate bone and tissue erosion
- Mild bone starts to erode around tooth
- Advanced massive destruction of bone around teeth, loose teeth
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Procedures/Treatments
Serious periodontal disease will require more than traditional surface cleaning. This may involve deeper and more complex cleaning and repair procedures up to and including surgery. Namely
- Full Mouth Debridement (initial cleaning of enough plaque and tarter from the teeth to evaluate the condition of the gums, bones, teeth and supporting structures. Scaling and Planing are performed in follow-up visits to complete the cleaning)
- Scaling (cleaning tartar and plaque from below the gum line)
- Planing (smoothing the tooth’s root surface helping the gum to reattach itself to the tooth so healing can occur.
- Regenerative
- Pocket Reduction
- Tissue Grafts
- Other Treatments
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Suggested Reading
- Periodontal Disease:An Overview for Physicians KIM E. FENESY, D.M.D.
- Periodontal and gingival health and diseases: children, adolescents By Enrique Bimstein
- Heart Disease and Periodontitis
- Patients with Moderate to Severe Periodontitis Need Evaluation for Heart Disease Risk
| Interleukin-1 Genetic polymorphisms in African ancestry: Prevalence and association with chronic periodontitis in the Xhosa population of South Africa |
| 21st Century Complete Medical Guide to Gum Disease and Periodontal Disease, Authoritative Government Documents, Clinical References, and Practical Information for Patients and Physicians (CD-ROM) |
| Infectious Diseases of the Mouth (Deadly Diseases and Epidemics) |
| Reversing Gum Disease Naturally: A Holistic Home Care Program |
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