Periodontal Disease: Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment Options

Have you been diagnosed with periodontal disease, or do you have symptoms that make you suspect your gums are in trouble? Since periodontal disease can do severe damage to your gums and the bones that support the teeth, and can even lead to tooth loss, this diagnosis can be pretty frightening. 

We'll talk about periodontal disease, it's causes, symptoms and risk factors. Of course, we'll go over treatment options as well. The first thing patients need to know is that periodontal disease isn't something that is simply managed by a dental surgeon though — the future state of your teeth and gums depends on you, the patient, to a large extent. That's good news, as long as you are diligent about following your dentist's instructions.

What Causes Periodontal Disease?

Plaque is the main cause of periodontal disease. This is that thin layer of "gunk" that builds up on your teeth when you haven't brushed them for a while. Plaque is made up of bacteria, mucus and other particles, and it's the reason you need to brush your teeth twice a day. When plaque isn't removed on a regular basis — because of improper brushing for instance — a harder layer called tartar will form. This can be removed by your dentist. 

Plaque and tartar build up can lead to inflamed gums over time. The gums will be swollen, red, sensitive, and prone to bleeding. This is called gingivitis, and it can progress to periodontal disease over time. Full-blown periodontitis is characterized by gums that have pulled away from the teeth, forming pockets that are easily infected and often revealing the root of a tooth. As the disease progresses, bacteria are able to find their way to the spaces that were previously protected by the gum.

Not all cases of periodontitis are caused by poor oral hygiene, however. Hormonal changes (in females), smoking, diabetes, and illnesses that affect the immune system — like HIV and cancer — can also lead to periodontal disease. Medications that affect the amount and quality of saliva can cause this nasty oral disease as well, and there's also a genetic component. 

See Also: Bleeding Gums - Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

What Are The Symptoms?

Seeing your dentist for regular checkups, every six months, will ensure that any oral and dental problems you have are detected in a timely manner. If you notice any of the following symptoms, you will want to see your dentist before your regular checkup:

• Red, swollen, and sometimes painful gums
• Bleeding gums when you brush
• Pain while chewing
• Bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Gums appear to be pulling downward or upward, exposing more of the tooth

Periodontitis: Treatment And Management

While inflamed gums (gingivitis) don't have to leave permanent damage, periodontitis does. The initial treatment goal is to prevent the damage from spreading any further. It's impossible to over-emphasize the importance of a solid self-care regime. Unless you play an important role in your own dental care, the periodontitis will get worse. Your dentist will tell you which steps to take.

They are likely to include:

• Purchasing a new tooth brush with soft bristles, that will not do more damage to your gums
• A gum-disease friendly toothpaste and antimicrobial mouthwash
• Ensuring you are able to clean your inter-dental areas and any pockets you have well, with a waterpick, interdental brushes, and floss
• Quit smoking if you smoke
• Talk to your family doctor or relevant specialists about medication you might be taking that could make your gum disease worse

Treatment Options

Anyone diagnosed with periodontitis be probably be advised to undergo a deep-cleaning treatment that removes plaque and tartar. Medications, including antibiotics, may also be part of the treatment plan. In case of moderate to severe damage, surgical treatment will be suggested. 

"Flap surgery" is one common surgery that benefits patients with periodontal disease. During this procedure, gums are lifted and the areas underneath them are subjected to deep cleaning techniques. Once the areas are free of tartar build up again, the gums are stitched back more snugly so that those notorious pockets disappear. 

In some patients, periodontitis will have progressed to the stage where they don't just have pockets, the bones holding their teeth in place will also have been damaged. Bone grafts and gum tissue grafts may be used in this case. These are usually synthetic materials. In a procedure known as guided tissue regeneration, mesh is used to ensure gum tissue doesn't start growing into areas where bone was previously present. This can enable bone and connective tissues to regrow. 

See Also: Treatment for Periodontitis - Periodontal (Gum) Disease

Once your treatment has been completed, it is very important to continue to practice high levels of oral hygiene. This helps prevent recurrence of your periodontal disease and maintains your teeth, gums and bones. In addition, you will probably want to see your dentist a bit more often. Doing so means you'll know about any changes in your mouth early on, so that you will not have to go through any more rigorous treatment.