Comprehensive Guide to Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease commonly known as gum disease, is a common and serious health issue that affects the tissues around teeth. Periodontal disease begins with gingivitis, the mildest form of periodontal disease, which is often accompanied by inflammation and bleeding in the gum area. If not treated, gingivitis leads to periodontitis, a more extreme form of this condition that leads to gum recession, bone loss and even tooth loss. Addressing periodontal disease and recognizing the early signs is essential, as we can prevent further complications.

periodontal disease

Periodontal disease often resulting from infections, can lead to various complications if not addressed. The disease starts with plaque build-up which if not addressed by regular brushing and professional cleaning, can harden and change form to tartar leading to bleeding and inflammation. New advancements in diagnostic tools, allow us to precisely detect and treat periodontal disease even in its earliest forms.

types of periodontal disease

Periodontal disease is typically manifested in two main forms, gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontal disease, the main symptoms of gingivitis include the buildup of plaque in the gumline area and bleeding, redness, or swelling during brushing. If managed properly, gingivitis can usually be reversed without significant damage to the surrounding area.

Untreated gingivitis can progress into periodontitis, a severe form of periodontal disease. Periodontitis involves a deeper inflammation that can affect the supporting structure of the teeth, meaning the bone and connective tissues are affected. This stage leads to the formation of periodontal pockets which are the spaces between the teeth and the gums where bacteria can grow and thrive, causing tissue damage and bone loss. Periodontitis is categorized into two forms, aggressive periodontitis, which progresses rapidly and affects young individuals, and the second type chronic periodontitis, which is a more common and typical form of periodontitis which develops over time.

gum disease and its progression

An important aspect of managing periodontal disease is recognizing and addressing its various stages. For instance, periodontitis can be further categorized into chronic and aggressive forms. Chronic periodontitis, which is the most common form, develops slowly and over time. At smile dental arts centre in Markham, we use a tailored approach based on the severity and the type of the disease, using techniques such as scaling and root planing, to fix and address the damage caused.

symptoms of periodontal disease

One of the earliest signs of periodontal disease is the inflammation of gums, which presents itself as red and swollen gums. Patients notice bleeding when brushing their teeth, and may often dismiss it but it could be a warning sign of gum disease. Another symptom is persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth, caused by a build-up of bacteria. These indicators which may seem minor can progress rapidly if not addressed as soon as possible.

common signs to look for

One key indicator of periodontal disease is bleeding gums, during brushing or flossing, while some people may assume this is normal or caused by brushing too hard, frequent bleeding in the gums area is a sign of infection or irritation. Healthy gums never bleed during hygiene activities. At smile dental arts centre, patients are educated about this symptom as a key indicator for gingivitis or early periodontitis disease. Special periodontal probes are used to measure the gum pocket depth, which helps to determine the extent of the disease and create personalized treatment plans to address the complications.

bleeding gums

At smile dental arts centre in Markham, bleeding gums are known as one of the most prevalent symptoms of periodontal disease. The blood is often noticed when flossing or brushing, but it’s important to know that consistent bleeding is a sign that bacteria have built up around the gumline, causing irritation and inflammation, a common condition known as gingivitis which is the earliest form of periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease is reversible using proper care utilizing regular oral hygiene habits, but if left untreated it can progress to more severe conditions and forms of periodontal disease.

persistent bad breath

Persistent bad breath or halitosis is often a subtle sign of periodontal disease that is overlooked by many patients. Bad breath is usually caused by bacteria building up in the mouth, bacteria is often built up around the gumline and in periodontal pockets. When gum disease progresses from gingivitis to periodontitis, the periodontal pockets deepen and trap the food particles inside, which produce a bad smell. Unlike usual bad breath caused by food or bad oral hygiene, halitosis is related to periodontal disease, and it is persistent despite following regular oral hygiene habits.

One of the reasons why persistent bad breath is associated with periodontal disease is that the bacteria often grow in the deep layers of gum tissue. As periodontal disease progresses, the gums are pulled away from the teeth creating more space for bacteria to thrive. The bacteria release toxins that contribute to bad breath also damaging the gum tissue in the process.

diagnosis and treatment options

During a periodontal examination, dentists inspect the gums thoroughly for any sign of inflammation, bleeding or recession. One diagnostic tool that is used is a periodontal probe, which is an instrument used for measuring the depth of gum pockets around teeth. If the depth of gum pockets are exceeding 3mm, it may indicate the presence of periodontal disease. This tool combined with patient medical history and symptoms, provides an accurate picture of the disease progression.

non-surgical and surgical treatments

Depending on the severity of the periodontal disease, surgical and non-surgical treatment options are available. Non-surgical treatments are often the first line of defence for early-stage gum disease, non-surgical treatments aim to control the spread of the infection and stop the progression of the disease. One of the most effective non-surgical treatments is scaling and root planing. This deep cleaning process removes plaque and tartar accumulation from the gumline and reduces the overall inflammation.

For patients who are experiencing advanced periodontal disease, surgical treatments are recommended. Flap surgery is one of the most common periodontal surgeries, and is often used to clean deep pockets that cannot be reached through non-surgical methods of treatment. In this procedure the gum tissue is lifted to expose the roots of teeth, allowing the dentist to carefully remove any existing bacteria. After the area is cleaned the area is sutured back into place, reducing the depth of pockets and allowing for better attachment to teeth.

FAQ

What is periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease, known as gum disease, is a condition which affects the tissues around the teeth.

What are the main stages of periodontal disease?

The two main stages are gingivitis and periodontitis.

What causes periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease is primarily caused by plaque build-up on the teeth. If not removed by regular oral hygiene habits or professional cleaning, plaque turns into tartar leading to further complications.

What are the common symptoms of periodontal disease?

Early symptoms include red swollen, bleeding gums. As the disease progresses, the patient may experience persistent bad breath, gum recession and loose teeth.

What are the treatment options for periodontal disease?

The treatment options include non-surgical options and surgical options. Non-surgical options are scaling and root planing (deep cleaning), which removes plaque and tartar from below the gum line.

Surgical options include flap surgery which is done to clean deep pockets.

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