What is gum disease?
Gum disease describes swelling, soreness or infection of
the tissues supporting the teeth. There are two main forms
of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontal disease.
What is gingivitis?
Gingivitis means inflammation of the gums. This is when
the gums around the teeth become very red and swollen. Often
the swollen gums bleed when they are brushed during cleaning.
What is periodontal disease?
Long-standing gingivitis can turn into periodontal disease.
There are a number of types of periodontal disease and they
all affect the tissues supporting the teeth. As the disease
gets worse the bone anchoring the teeth in the jaw is lost,
making the teeth loose. If this is not treated, the
teeth may eventually fall out.
Am I likely to suffer from gum disease?
Probably. Most people suffer from some form of gum disease,
and it is the major cause of tooth loss in adults. However,
the disease develops very slowly in most people, and it can
be slowed down to a rate that should allow you to keep most
of your teeth for life.
What is the cause of gum disease?
All gum disease is caused by plaque. Plaque is a film of
bacteria which forms on the surface of the teeth and gums
every day. Many of the bacteria in plaque are completely
harmless, but there are some that have been shown to be the
main cause of gum disease. To prevent and treat gum disease,
you need to make sure you remove all the plaque from your
teeth every day. This is done by brushing and flossing.
How will smoking affect my gums and teeth?
Smoking can also lead to gum disease. Patients who smoke
are more likely to produce bacterial plaque, which leads
to gum disease. The gums are affected because smoking causes
a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream, so the infected gums
fail to heal. Smoking causes people to have more dental plaque
and for gum disease to progress more rapidly than in non-smokers.
Gum disease still remains the most common cause of
tooth loss in adults.
What happens if gum disease is not treated?
Unfortunately, gum disease progresses painlessly on the
whole so that you do notice the damage it is doing. However,
the bacteria are sometimes more active and this makes your
gums sore. This can lead to gum abscesses, and pus may ooze
from around the teeth. Over a number of years, the bone supporting
the teeth can be lost. If the disease is left untreated for
a long time, treatment can become more difficult.
How do I know if I have gum disease?
The first sign is blood on the toothbrush or in the rinsing
water when you clean your teeth. Your gums may also bleed
when you are eating, leaving a bad taste in your mouth. Your
breath may also become unpleasant.
What do I do if I think I have gum disease?
The first thing to do is visit your dentist for a thorough
check-up of your teeth and gums. The dentist can measure
the 'cuff of gum around each tooth to see if there is any
sign that periodontal disease has started. X-rays may also
be needed to see the amount of bone that has been lost. This
assessment is very important, so the correct treatment can
be prescribed for you.
What treatments are needed?
Your dentist will usually give your teeth a thorough clean.
You'll also be shown how to remove plaque successfully yourself,
cleaning all surfaces of your teeth thoroughly and effectively.
This may take a number of sessions with the dentist or hygienist.
What else may be needed?
Once your teeth are clean, your dentist may decide to carry
out further cleaning of the roots of the teeth, to make sure
that the last pockets of bacteria are removed. You'll probably
need the treatment area to be numbed before anything is done.
Afterwards, you may feel some discomfort for up to 48 hours.
Once I have had periodontal disease, can get it
again?
The periodontal diseases are never cured. But as long as
you keep up the home care you have been taught, any further
loss of bone will be very slow and it may stop altogether.
However, you must make sure you remove plaque every day,
and go for regular check ups by the dentist and hygienist.
|
