About Gum Disease
What is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease (from peri “around” and odont “tooth”), which is also called gum disease, is a continuous and progressive inflammation of the gums caused by a bacterial infection in the gum and bone tissue surrounding your teeth. As the bacterial infection and inflammation increase, the gums detach from the teeth and the surrounding bone is eaten away. If the infection is allowed to progress for too long, your teeth become loose and can eventually be lost.
Periodontal disease is a “quiet” disease that often produces no pain or discomfort until it is severe. It is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.
Stages of Periodontitis
Periodontitis progresses from mild to moderate to advanced. Dr. Young assesses the level of periodontal disease by gently measuring the gum pocket depths using a small probe and by examining the amount of bone loss in X-ray images.
How Periodontal Disease progresses
When the gums and bone around your teeth are healthy, your teeth are stably in position and the gums are firmly attached around your teeth. They are pink in color, firm, and do not bleed easily.
Bacteria accumulate on your teeth and below your gum line from food and other sources. If these bacteria are not adequately removed with brushing and flossing, they form a sticky biofilm on your teeth known as plaque. As the plaque builds up, large deposits start to harden into what is called calculus, or tartar.
The bacteria in the plaque and tartar give off toxins that start inflammation that results in the detachment of the gums from the teeth. The surrounding bone starts to be eaten away as well. As the bacterial infection progresses in size and severity, the gum detachment and bone loss becomes more advanced and the teeth eventually become loose and can be lost.
Stages of Periodontitis
Moderate
The gum pocket depth has reached 5mm and the gum detachment and bone loss are more severe.
Mild
The gum pocket depth is usually about 4mm. The gums have started to detach from the tooth and there is some bone loss.
Advanced
The gum pockets are 6mm and deeper. Now the gum detachment and bone loss are extensive and the type of bacteria colonizing the pocket are shifting to more aggressive and medically risky bacteria. When gum detachment and bone loss have become this severe, the tooth is in danger of being lost. Teeth often become loose at this point, which may be the first clue someone may have that there is something wrong.
Symptoms of Periodontal Disease
Red/Swollen Gums
Tender/Bleeding Gums
Painful Chewing
Permanent Bad Breath
Receded Gums
Abscess From Gum Line
Teeth Changed Position
Loose Teeth
Gingivitis and Periodontitis
The first level of periodontal disease is known as gingivitis. Gingivitis is a bacterial infection of the gums only (not the bone) and is characterized by inflamed, swollen and red gums that may bleed when you brush or floss. The gums have not started to detach at this stage. This level of infection can usually be eliminated with a thorough professional cleaning and effective home oral care.
The second level of periodontal disease, called periodontitis, is more severe and progresses in stages. At this point the bacterial deposits have not only continued to accumulate, they have started to cause the gums to detach from the teeth and the surrounding bone to be progressively eaten away.
As the gums detach, pockets of space form between the gums and the teeth, allowing more bacteria to be trapped and cause further inflammation. The gum pockets will become progressively deeper as the infection progresses.
Periodontitis accelerates as it grows
As gum pockets become deeper, the types of bacteria that populate these pockets change and are more destructive the deeper the pockets become. This causes the deterioration and bone loss to accelerate in speed and intensity as periodontitis advances
Contributing causes to Periodontal Disease
Smoking
Poor Diet
Poor Oral Hygiene
Irregular Dental Cleanings
Other Health Problems
Other Treatments
Hormonal Changes
Genetic Predisposition
Past Treatments Mistakes
Periodontal Disease links to other health issues
The human body functions as an integrated whole. A diseased condition in one part of your body can affect other parts of your body and cause damage in areas far removed from the original point of trouble.
Numerous studies are showing significant relationships between periodontal disease and serious health conditions to including diabetes, respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease and strokes.
