Periodontal (Gum) Disease and Periodontics

What Is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease, also known as periodontitis and gum disease, is a bacterial infection of your gums that can cause a range of far-reaching issues. Gum disease leads to structural damage in your mouth, and it may also result in health problems within other areas of your body, including heart disease, stroke, and respiratory illnesses. Preventing gum disease with regular brushing and flossing is the best approach. Once an infection occurs, it’s essential to receive treatment from a qualified periodontist to protect your health and your smile.

What Causes Gum Disease?

Gum disease primarily develops due to poor oral hygiene from neglected brushing and flossing. As bacteria naturally accumulates in the soft tissues of the mouth, it forms a sticky film on the surface of the teeth that daily brushing helps eliminate. However, when this plaque continues to grow, it can harden and transform into tartar, which can no longer be removed by brushing the teeth. Tartar can only be treated through a professional cleaning from a dental hygienist.

As bacteria continues to spread, the gums will start to feel sore or swollen. Eventually a pocket may form between the teeth and gums, loosening the teeth and leaving the oral soft tissues vulnerable to infection. There are a number of factors that can increase the risk of periodontal disease, including smoking, diabetes, genetic predisposition, hormonal changes (often caused by pregnancy), and certain medications that may decrease saliva production. Smoking is the most universal component that can increase the risk of gum disease, with smokers typically developing periodontal concerns at twice the rate of non-smoking patients.

What are the Different Stages of Periodontal Disease?

Gum disease usually progresses in three stages. It is usually the case that the earlier bacteria buildup is addressed, the higher the likelihood of successful treatment using minimally invasive techniques. The different forms of periodontal disease include:

• Gingivitis: As the earliest phase of gum disease, gingivitis typically causes mild redness and swelling of the gums while the teeth remain firmly in position, as bacteria has not yet penetrated the bone or connective tissue. This is the form of gum disease experienced most commonly by patients. It is also not unusual for early gingivitis to present no visible symptoms, highlighting the importance of regular dental cleanings from a professional who can spot the first signs of gum disease.
• Periodontitis: When left to accumulate, disease-causing bacteria will begin to penetrate the bone and supportive tissue keeping the teeth in place. This can cause separation of the gum tissue from the gumline, creating a pocket where bacteria, plaque, and tarter can continue to gather.
• Advanced periodontitis: Eventually, untreated periodontitis can deepen the pocket between the gums and teeth, destabilizing the tooth and causing recession of your natural jawbone. This often leads to tooth loss and the development of other complications as the infection continues to spread. In the advanced stages of gum disease, minimally invasive treatments are typically ineffective and more advanced techniques are necessary to cleanse the soft tissues of the mouth.

Periodontal Disease Screening

During your regular checkup, we will evaluate the health of your gums by measuring the space between your teeth and gum tissue. This space is called the periodontal pocket and is a naturally occurring space. In most cases, our goal is to have all periodontal measurements of all teeth 3mm or less producing an oral environment which is cleansable and maintainable. If the area is deeper than desired, this is commonly called pocketing. As the exam is being performed, you may hear your dentist or hygienist calling out numbers. One, two, and three millimeters signify good condition; however, four, five and greater indicate a concern. Gum pocketing can occur as a result of gum or periodontal disease, loose teeth, teeth grinding (bruxism), or another problem. In addition to pocketing, our experienced periodontist will also look for any signs of abnormalities such as infection, oral cancer, or trauma. If one is discovered, our dental team can develop a customized treatment plan that provides the best opportunity to restore your gums to health and help prevent the condition from recurring.