PERIODONTAL DISEASE

Periodontal (gum) diseases, including gingivitis and periodontitis, are serious infections that, left untreated, can lead to tooth loss.

The word periodontal literally means "around the tooth."

Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth.

Periodontal disease can affect one tooth or many teeth.

It begins when the bacteria in plaque (the sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth) causes the gums to become inflamed.

GINGIVITIS:

Gingivitis is the mildest form of periodontal disease.

It causes the gums to become red, swollen, and bleed easily.

There is usually little or no discomfort at this stage.

Gingivitis is often caused by inadequate oral hygiene.

Gingivitis is reversible with professional treatment and good oral home care.

PERIODONTITIS:

Untreated gingivitis can advance to periodontitis.

With time, plaque can spread and grow below the gum line.

Toxins produced by the bacteria in plaque irritate the gums.

The toxins stimulate a chronic inflammatory response in which the body in essence turns on itself, and the tissues and bone that support the teeth are broken down and destroyed.

Gums separate from the teeth, forming pockets (spaces between the teeth and gums) that become infected.

As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed. Often, this destructive process has very mild symptoms.

Eventually, teeth can become loose and may have to be removed.

Untreated gingivitis can advance to periodontitis and eventually lead to tooth loss and other health problems.

PREVENTION:
Daily oral hygiene measures to prevent periodontal disease include:
Brushing properly on a regular basis (at least twice daily), with the patient attempting to direct the toothbrush bristles underneath the gum-line, so as to help disrupt the bacterial growth and formation of subgingival plaque.
Flossing daily and using interdental brushes (if there is a sufficiently large space between teeth), as well as cleaning behind the last tooth in each quarter.

TREATMENT & CARE:
Using an antiseptic mouthwash - Chlorhexidine gluconate based mouthwash or hydrogen peroxidei n combination with careful oral hygiene may cure gingivitis, although they cannot reverse any attachment loss due to periodontitis.
Regular dental check-ups and professional teeth cleaning as required.

Dental check-ups serve to monitor the person's oral hygiene methods and levels of attachment around teeth, identify any early signs of periodontitis, and monitor response to treatment.
Typically dental hygienists (or dentists) use special instruments to clean (debride) teeth below the gumline and disrupt any plaque growing below the gumline.

This is a standard treatment to prevent any further progress of established periodontitis. Studies show that after such a professional cleaning (periodontal debridement), bacteria and plaque tend to grow back to pre-cleaning levels after about 3-4 months. Hence, in theory, cleanings every 3-4 months might be expected to also prevent the initial onset of periodontitis.

The continued stabilization of a patient's periodontal state depends largely, if not primarily, on the patient's oral hydiene at home.

Without daily oral hygiene, periodontal disease will not be overcome, especially if the patient has a history of extensive periodontal disease.