Periodontics & Gum Health

What is Gum Disease?

One of the most common oral health issues patients come in with is gum (periodontal) disease. Despite your best efforts to maintain excellent oral health with at-home care, gum disease can still happen. 

Your gums serve as a seal around your teeth, protecting the sensitive root areas. No matter how great the condition of your teeth they require healthy gums to support them. Gum disease occurs when there is infection in the tissues that support the teeth. When plaque collects and hardens on the teeth, it can eventually impact the gums. 

• Symptoms of Gum Disease

  Sometimes, you won't notice any symptoms of gum disease. But some patients may experience symptoms including: 

  • Receding gums
  • Bleeding in your gums 
  • Persistent bad breath
  • Red or purple gums
  • Sore or swollen gums 
• Diagnosis

  To diagnose gum disease, your dentist will measure the depth of pockets surrounding each tooth. Pockets deeper than 3 mm are considered hazardous and will usually need treatment. 

  Attending regular dental exams gives your dentist the opportunity to detect gum disease early and take preventive measures. 

• Treatment

  To treat gum disease, we remove bacteria and substances that get caught in pockets around your teeth. The removal of these bacteria requires great skill, as the process occurs on a microscopic level. Our dental team has the training and skills required to effectively remove the bacteria. 

  The process of eliminating bacteria typically requires multiple visits to our office. Once bacteria has been removed, your dentist must clean and maintain these pockets on a regular basis. Otherwise, bacteria can start to damage the bone. 

• Long-Term Care

  Generally, once you have had gum or periodontal disease, you will always need to pay extra attention to your oral health. 

  In addition to practicing diligent hygiene at home, you'll need to see us for regular cleanings to prevent the bone in your mouth and jaw from receding. 

  After the initial issue is treated, we will recommend you attend periodontal maintenance appointments every 3 to 4 months. 

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Stages of Gum Disease

Gum disease is a progressive condition. This means that leaving it untreated can allow it to progress to later stages, with more serious consequences for oral and overall health. Stages of gum disease include: 

• Gingivitis

  Bacteria that hasn't been removed from gums and teeth can grow out of control and produce toxins that irritate the gums. 

  When calculus, also known as plaque, develops along the gum line, it forms a rough surface where plaque builds up. This causes irritation and swelling, resulting in bad breath or sore, bleeding gums. 

  Spaces between gums and teeth pockets can develop, but no bone damage occurs in this mild, reversible stage of periodontal disease. 

  Regular hygiene cleanings and exams are critical for maintaining the health of your gums. They also give your dentist the chance to check for developing gum disease.

• Periodontitis

  Plaque (sometimes calculus) is the most common cause of periodontitis and is found under the gum line. This can lead to a breakdown in the ligaments, causing the gum to detach and pull away from the teeth. 

  As the pockets deepen, they fill with more bacteria and the bone's supportive ligaments start to become damaged, resulting in loose teeth. 

• Advanced Periodontitis

  The advanced stage of periodontitis leads to deep pockets that sometimes fill with pus. there may be swelling around the root and more bone loss, leading to loose teeth. 

  Tooth extraction may be a necessary remedy to preserve your general oral health. 

Surgical Gum Therapy (Gum Grafting)

During a gum graft procedure, your periodontist transplants a small piece of specialized gum tissue from the roof of your mouth and places it on the area that needs more gum. 

The tissue is attached with a special glue that adheres and protects the new graft so healing can take place. The specialized glue also protects the roof of your mouth. This area will need a couple of days to heal after the procedure. Follow-up appointments will be needed to ensure proper healing is taking place. 

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