Types Of Gum Disease 

Gingivitis is the mildest form of periodontal (gum) disease and it is where the gums become inflammed. The main cause of ginigvitis is the accumulation of plaque, the sticky film of food and bacteria that forms constantly on your teeth.

If plaque is not removed each day, the bacteria in plaque invade the space between the teeth and gums and begin producing toxins. These toxins irritate and inflame the gums, causing them to swell and bleed.

Symptoms of gingivitis:

• Bleeding gums, especially when brushing/flossing
• Gum swelling and redness
• Gums are tender or painful to the touch
• Shiny gums
• Bad breath

To determine whether you have gingivitis, we perform a thorough examination. We look for any changes in the shape, colour and contour of the gums, and bleeding in the gums upon probing.

The periodontal probe - Measures the pocket depths around a tooth in order to assess the progression and extent of gum disease. 

Treatment

If we determine that you do have gingivitis, treatment always includes a professional cleaning, which removes plaque build up from the teeth. The hygienist will be able to give you advice on the most effective techniques for brushing and the use of interdental aids, such as floss or tepe brushes.

Sometimes, additional steps are required. These could include using a disclosing solution regularly to determine where the plaque is, and using an antibacterial rinse to help kill destructive bacteria. We may also need to set up more frequent Hygienist visits to monitor the health of your gums.

It is important to catch and treat gingivitis early, before it progresses and results in the bone and tooth loss of periodontal disease.

Periodontitis
            

If gingivitis is not treated, it can advance to periodontitis, which is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth. In periodontitis, the gums begin to pull away from the teeth and form "pockets" which trap plaque and become infected. Toxins produced by the bacteria in plaque start to break down the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place. If not treated, the bone, gums and connective tissue that support the teeth are destroyed. It is rarely possible to make the bone structures grow back.

Symptoms of periodontitis:

• Red, swollen gums
• Bleeding gums
• Gums pulling away from the teeth
• Loose teeth
• Receding gums
• Persistant bad breath
• A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
• Pus between the teeth and gums

         

Inflammed and swollen gums                                  Bone loss caused by periodontal disease.

 

Treatment

The goal of periodontal treatment is to control any infection that exists and to halt progression of the disease. Treatment methods depend upon the type and severity of the disease. Your dentist and dental hygienist will evaluate for periodontal disease and recommend the appropriate treatment.

If your dentist determines that you have some bone loss or that the gums have receeded from the teeth, the standard treatment is an intensive deep-cleaning, non surgical method called scaling and root planing. It is usually done one quadrent of the mouth at a time and often the administration of local anaesthetic is required for pain control at this level of care.

During the procedure, plaque, calculus and toxins are removed from above and below the gum line (scaling) and rough spots on root surfaces are made smooth to prevent further deposits from building up. This smooth, clean surface helps allow the gums to reattach to the teeth and pockets to shrink. The hygienist will also demonstrate brushing and flossing techniques in order to improve you oral hygiene.

 

 Scaling and root planing above and below the gumline

 

In difficult to treat cases, we, at Amery House, are one of the first dental practices in the UK to use laser assisted periodontal therapy which speeds up healing and repair of the gum tissues as well as reducing any post treatment discomfort.

Once periodontal therapy is complete, supportive perio maintainance care is implemented. This includes continuing care visits where the patient's oral health is monitored. Excellent home oral hygiene is necessary after periodontal treatment to limit further destruction.

Even with early periodontal disease, bleeding gums can create an open doorway that allows harmful bacteria to enter you bloodstream.  Research indicates that the bacteria associated with periodontal disease may cause inflammation in the arteries. This inflammation could lead to the build-up of fatty deposits and the formation of blood clots that can block your arteries and even trigger a heart attack. These deposits may also build up in the carotid arteries in your neck. In serious cases, if these fat deposits break apart and are carried away in your bloodstream, they can lodge in your brain, block a blood vessel, and cause a stroke.

Additionally, some studies have also shown that when plaque bacteria enter the bloodstream through infected gums, you may develop a heart condition called infective endocarditis. This is a potentially fatal bacterial infection that inflames the sac around the heart, the valves of the heart, and the heart muscle itself.

So, as you can see, it is vital to your overall health, as well as your oral health, to keep your gums healthy.