YOUR MOUTH IS THE GATEWAY TO YOUR HEALTH!
Gum health is the indicator for overall oral health. It is important to practice good oral health daily with regular brushing and flossing as well as regular check up with your dentist.
Periodontal diseases is also known as gum disease and it is range from gingivitis ( initial stage) to periodontitis ( advanced stage). Recent study has shown that half of american adult suffer from gum disease.
WARNING SIGNS OF GUM DISEASE
- Sore or bleeding gum when you floss or brush
- Pink-tinged toothbrush after brusing
- Spitting out blood when you brushing or flossing teeth
- Irritated, redness, swollen, and tender gum
- Receding gum or gum that pull away from teeth making your teeth look longer
- Dark spaces between teeth
- Loose or sensitive teeth
- Pain when eating or drinking
- Persistent bad breath ( halitosis)
- Pus between teeth and gum
- Sores on the inside of the mouth
- Changes in your bite
Gum Disease Risk factors
- Tobacco
- Poor oral hygiene
- Malposition (Crooked) teeth
- Fillings become defective/leaking margins
- Bridges that no longer fit properly
- Hormonal changes in girls and women ( ex. pregnancy)
- Diabetes
- Medications that can cause dry mouth ( xerostomia) or gingival hyperplasia
- Certain illnesses, such as AIDS, underlying immune-deficiencies—e.g. Crohn’s disease
- Genetic susceptibility.
- and more
Gingivitis
Gum disease is caused by a sticky biofilm called plaque. Plaque is composed of saliva, bacteria, food debris and acid produced by those bacteria that are exposed to sugary and starchy foods. The buildup of plaque between the gums and teeth causes the gums to become inflamed. This is called gingivitis (early gum disease). It is the stage of gum inflammation without any bone loss or attachment loss.
It can be easily reversal with good daily oral hygiene and regular professional cleaning. If left untreated, the gums begin to pull away from the teeth. This creates pockets where the plaque hardens and becomes tartar (calculus). This is known as advanced or severe periodontitis.
If you notice that your gum is red, swollen, tender and bleeding easily when you brushed or flossed, please call us to schedule your check-up appointment today.
Periodontitis
When plaque is not removed, it will become a hard deposit around the tooth which is called tartar ( or calculus). Tartar is much more difficult to remove. It is filled with bacteria and toxins causing damage hard and soft tissue attached to the teeth that can lead to periodontitis.
Periodontitis is an more advanced stage of gum disease progress from gingivitis. It become a chronic inflammation of the bone and surrounding connective tissue causing irreversal gum and bone loss. If the condition is not treated, it eventually can lead to tooth loss, gum infection and abscess.
Not only periodontitis can eventually lead to tooth loss, the bacteria that cause gum injection can enter your bloodstream to enter to other part of your body. The research has indicated that periodontitis is a risk factor for many systemic diseases such as heart disease, respiratory disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, preterm low birth weight ( PLBW), ect. After your dentist and hygienist diagnosis you with periodontal disease, the treatment will depend on the severity of the infection. Some options include scaling and root planing ( SRP), adjuncr laser assited periodontal treatment ( LAPT), osseous flap surgery, soft tissue graft, or referral to periodontist.
gum disease tHERAPY
SCALING ANd ROOT PLANING
Periodontal Scaling and Root Planning is a NON- surgical treatment option to remove the tarter that is deposit around the teeth. SRP can also help improve bad breath. If untreated, gum disease could lead to bone and tooth loss.
ADJUNCTIVE THERAPY OPTIONS FOLLOW SRP TREATMENT
1. Laser Assited Periodontal treatment
2. Systemic and Local delivery antimicrobials (ATRIDOX®, ARESTIN, ect)
2. Tray Delivery system (Perio Protect)
SURGICAL TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR ADVANCED STAGE OF GUM DISEASE
1. Osseous “Flap” Surgery
2. Soft tissue graft
3. Bone graft