What is gum disease?
Periodontal disease (gum disease) is a chronic bacterial infection of the gums and bone supporting the teeth. It is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. However, because gum disease is usually painless, you may not even know you have it. Gum disease is caused by plaque bacteria which form a sticky film on the tooth surface. These plaque bacteria release toxins that can damage the gums. As the amount of plaque increases the saliva in your mouth can begin to mineralise the plaque to form tartar (calculus). These hard deposits on the roots of the teeth only serve to promote more plaque formation and further damage to the gums.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
The problem with gum disease is that most symptoms don't appear until it's too late to treat it. Common symptoms are:
- Gums that bleed easily
- Swollen or tender gums
- Teeth shifting in position
- Persistent bad breath
- Teeth becoming loose
- Gum recession
- Drainage coming from around a tooth
But if you wait until these symptoms appear, you're at high risk of losing your teeth. That's why a periodontal examination is so important. Too often, people don't know they have serious periodontitis until it's too late. Bleeding gums are a symptom that some people experience, and this will occur in gingivitis, which is an early stage of gum disease. Your gums aren't supposed to bleed, and if this occurs, it generally indicates that the teeth aren't being cleaned properly.
Risk Factors
Smoking. Need another reason to quit smoking? Smoking is one of the most significant risk factors associated with the development of periodontitis. Additionally, smoking can lower the chances of success of some treatments.
Hormonal changes in girls/women. These changes can make gums more sensitive and make it easier for gingivitis to develop.
Diabetes. People with diabetes are at higher risk for developing infections, including periodontal disease.
Stress. Research shows that stress can make it more difficult for our bodies to fight infection, including periodontal disease.
Medications. Some drugs, such as antidepressants, oral contraceptives and some heart medicines, can affect oral health because they lessen the flow of saliva. (Saliva has a protective effect on teeth and gums.)
Illnesses Diseases like cancer or AIDS and their treatments can also affect the health of gums.
Genetic susceptibility. Some people are more prone to severe periodontal disease than others.
Arestin Delivered through a unique powder, and using new microsphere technology, Arestin delivers minocycline to easily and effectively kill the bacteria that causes periodontal disease. When used together with scaling and root planing, this treatment significantly reduces the depth of infected pockets and helps prevent disease progression. Arestin was shown to be particularly even effective in the more difficult to treat patients such as smokers or people who have cardiovascular disease
Periodontal (Gum) Treatment
Scaling & Root Planing. Scaling refers to the professional removal of soft plaque and hard calculus (tartar) deposits from the teeth and around the gum line.
Pocket Elimination & Periodontal Flap Surgery. Modern surgical treatments are generally minimally invasive and generally well tolerated by patients. There are a variety of surgical techniques used in the management of severe periodontitis each having their specific indications.
Bone Graft. Grafting is a way to replace or encourage new growth of bone or gum tissue destroyed by periodontitis. A technique that can be used with bone grafting is called guided tissue regeneration, in which a small piece of mesh-like fabric is inserted between the bone and gum tissue.
Performing Proper Oral Hygiene
Regular Dental Visits
