What Is Periodontal Disease

The main cause of periodontal disease is bacteria. The bacteria like to feed on plaque, the soft residue that builds up on your teeth. Bacteria are attracted to the carbohydrates and sugars in the plaque.

If plaque isn’t removed, it eventually calcifies, turning into a substance called tartar or calculus, which cannot be removed by brushing and flossing.

Your gum tissue is very delicate and the bacteria irritate the gums. As the plaque hardens into calculus, it acts similarly to a sliver that gets under your skin. It’s irritating and causes inflammation, redness, swelling, and soreness. If the sliver isn’t removed, you can end up with an infection. The same thing happens to your gums.

While plaque is the main cause of periodontal disease, other factors can cause or aggravate gum disease.

The first stage of gum disease is inflammation of the gums or gingivitis. You might notice that your gums bleed a little when brushing or are red instead of a healthy pink. At this stage, the teeth and underlying bone are still healthy. Gingivitis is reversible, so we urge our patients to see us regularly so we can catch the disease in this stage and prevent further damage.

Left untreated, gingivitis progresses and becomes gum disease (periodontitis). At this stage, the gum tissue starts to pull away from the teeth, increasing the depth of the natural gum pockets around the teeth. The deeper these pockets are, the harder it is to remove plaque and food debris and the easier it is for an infection to develop.

In advanced stages of periodontitis, the teeth appear longer and become loose because the bone has started to recede.

Periodontitis cannot be reversed. However, we can arrest the disease and prevent further damage with deep gum cleaning and regular maintenance cleanings.

Some symptoms of periodontal disease include:

• Red gums
• Receding gums
• Swollen, tender gum tissue
• Pain and tooth sensitivity
• Gum bleeding while practicing oral hygiene
• Bad breath or a funny taste in the mouth
• Deeper gum pocket measurements
• Loose teeth
• Changes in your bite

Please note that gum disease isn’t always obvious or painful. Therefore, it’s imperative to your oral health to see your dentist for regular check-ups. At these appointments, your dentist or hygienist will measure your gum pocket depths and evaluate the health and appearance of the gum tissue. Regular appointments allow your dental team to catch issues early and prevent long-term damage.

Gingivitis is the only stage of periodontal disease that is reversible. Though you won’t be able to restore lost bone or gum tissue if you’re in the advanced stages of periodontitis, you can prevent the disease from progressing and hopefully avoid tooth loss.

The most important thing you can do to stop the progression of gum disease is to control your plaque levels. Daily brushing and flossing, in addition to at least two professional cleanings per year can keep plaque at bay.

If you have advanced gum disease, you’ll need to have a deep dental cleaning called root planing. You’ll need to schedule two appointments, during which anesthesia will be administered to one side of your mouth. Our hygienist will use various tools, including an ultrasonic cleaner, to break up tartar and wash it and the bad bacteria away. At the next appointment, we’ll focus on the other side of your mouth.

Once you’ve had periodontal treatment, you’ll need regular maintenance cleanings every three to four months depending on your unique needs. As someone who has had gum disease, frequent cleanings help keep tartar build-up at bay and prevent disease progression. They also allow your dentist to keep a close eye on your gum health and take action right away if your disease starts to progress again.

Making some adjustments to your lifestyle can improve gum health. Some suggestions include:

Our dental team is happy to review proper brushing and flossing techniques with you. We may even recommend high-tech tools that promote gum health, such as an electric toothbrush or waterpik.

Since bacteria love sugar, lower the amount of sugary sweets and soft drinks you consume.

Nutrient-dense foods – like fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes – can help keep your gums, teeth, and bones healthy.

Smoking of any kind, including marijuana, may be a causative factor in gum disease. In fact, tobacco may increase your chances of periodontitis by seven times.

Stress can impair your immune system and cause chronic inflammation throughout your body, including your mouth. Try relaxation techniques like meditation to improve your body’s ability to stave off gum disease.