Periodontal Disease That Compromises Your Gum And Bone Health
Your gums are an essential component that makes up the periodontium, providing anchorage and support to the teeth. Healthy gums maintain the integrity of your oral cavity and enhance your facial aesthetics due to their scalloping shape. However, any infection affecting the gums can negatively impact your oral health. This is known as periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease can be effectively diagnosed and managed through our skilled family dentist in Upland, CA, which helps improve your oral health and well-being.
What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is any infection or inflammation of the supporting structures surrounding the tooth, namely the gums and the alveolar bone. It initially begins as a mild inflammation of the gums, which may progress involving the underlying jawbone if not detected and treated on time.
What causes periodontal disease?
Poor oral hygiene that leads to an increase in bacterial infiltration is the most common etiological factor. This paves the way for plaque formation that adheres to the tooth surfaces. Plaque, if left untreated, can harden to form calculus, leading to the secretion of harmful toxins and acids. These toxins demineralize the tooth enamel and erode the supporting tissues.
Risk factors:
- Genetic predisposition
- Compromised oral hygiene
- Puberty, pregnancy, and menopause due to hormonal changes
- Smoking
- Chronic stress
- Certain medical conditions like diabetes and heart disease
- Medications such as immunosuppressants and those that reduce saliva production
- Certain autoimmune diseases like lupus
What are the clinical symptoms of periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease can exhibit a cascade of warning signs, including:
- Red, swollen, and sore gums
- Gnawing pain in the gums
- Persistent bad breath (halitosis)
- Bleeding gums
- Pain when chewing
- Poor bite due to malocclusion
- Gum recession (gums pull away from the tooth surface, exposing the roots)
- Increased tooth sensitivity
- Tooth mobility
How is periodontal disease treated?
Your dentist will recommend any one of the following treatment options depending on the severity of symptoms.
- Non-surgical options: For mild to moderate cases
- Professional dental cleaning
- Supragingival cleaning
- Subgingival scaling
- Root planing
- Medications
- Antibiotic gels and mouth rinse
- Pocket irrigation
- Surgical options: For moderate to severe cases
- Pocket elimination surgery
- Excising and reattaching the lost gingival tissue to its original position
- Tissue regeneration
- To rehabilitate and revitalize damaged tissue structure through PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy
- Gum grafting
- Using gingival tissue grafts from other areas of the oral cavity to replace the lost gum tissues
- Bone grafting
- Using bone grafts to restore the jawbone thickness and volume
- Dental implants
- Help in replacing missing teeth lost due to periodontal disease
Periodontal disease can be curbed at an early stage. Thus, it is essential to know the warning signs of periodontal disease to seek timely dental care to prevent further deterioration.
