Periodontitis – getting gum disease under control

Category: Dental health · 3 January 2019

The foundation of good dental health is healthy gums. Disease-causing bacteria can multiply in a biofilm in the mouth. The result can be tooth decay and tooth loss. This article explains everything you need to know about gum disease.

Overview – periodontitis

Periodontitis (gum disease) is an infection of the gum tissue. The cause is usually poor oral hygiene, i.e. not brushing and flossing enough. As a result, plaque – a sticky film of bacteria – can build up on the teeth and, if it isn’t removed, harden. In its advanced stage, this gum disease can lead to sore, bleeding gums; the consequences are pain, problems with chewing and even tooth loss.

Most adults experience periodontitis at least once in their lives. It is less common in children. Typical signs are gums that bleed when you brush and bad breath. This early stage of gum disease is called gingivitis.

If you don’t treat gingivitis, it can develop into periodontitis. It is strongly recommended to treat gum disease early, as otherwise the dreaded loss of teeth can follow: periodontitis can damage the bone in the jaw, causing pockets to form between the gums and teeth – the teeth loosen and fall out.

What causes gum disease?

Our mouths are full of bacteria. Together with mucus and other particles, these bacteria constantly form a sticky, colourless “plaque” on the teeth. Some types of plaque are harmless, while others damage gum health. If you don’t remove this bacterial film by brushing, it builds up and irritates the sensitive tissue around the teeth: the result is redness with bleeding, swelling and pain.

In addition, plaque that isn’t removed can harden and form “tartar”, which you can no longer remove yourself by brushing. Only a professional clean by a dentist or dental hygienist can remove tartar.

Symptoms

Symptoms of gum disease include:

Persistent bad breath
Red or swollen gums
Bleeding gums
Pain when chewing
sensitive teeth: receding gums or
exposed tooth necks: your teeth “look longer”

Diagnosis

If you’re worried that you may have gum disease, see your dentist or dental hygienist.

What to expect at your visit

The dentist will examine your gums for signs of inflammation.
She may use a kind of tiny ruler called a “probe” to check and measure any pockets around the teeth. In a healthy mouth, these pockets are normally between 1 and 3 millimetres deep. This test is usually painless.
The dentist will:
ask about your lifestyle and medical history to identify conditions or risk factors (such as smoking or diabetes) that can contribute to gum disease.
possibly order an X-ray to see whether there is any bone loss.

Gum disease – risk factors

There are a number of risk factors that can contribute to gum disease. Apart from poor dental hygiene, smoking has the biggest negative impact.

Other risk factors include diabetes, hormonal changes in girls and women, medication that reduces saliva flow; certain illnesses such as AIDS and the medication they require; and also genetic susceptibility.

Treatment

The main aim of treatment is to ward off any infection. The length and type of treatment, however, vary depending on the extent of the gum disease.

The basis of any treatment is appropriate daily dental hygiene. If you smoke, the dentist will suggest cutting down or giving up. She may also address other habits – depending on your circumstances.

Helpful tips

These tips will help you keep your gums and teeth healthy:

Brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
Floss regularly to remove food debris and plaque from between your teeth. If you don’t like dental floss, you can ask your dentist about other tools.
Regular check-ups at the dentist
professional teeth cleaning every 6 months
Cut down on or give up smoking

Conclusion: gum disease

The foundation of good oral and dental health is a good dental care routine that you follow every day. If you see your dentist and dental hygienist regularly, you’ll also help prevent any problems.

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