What is Periodontal Disease?
You may have heard about periodontal disease, or gum disease, from your dentist or dental hygienist.
Periodontal disease is an oral infection that begins in the gums and progresses into the jaw bone. If periodontal disease is not treated, the jaw bone support for the teeth will become compromised. When teeth lose bone support, they become loose and require extraction, or, fall out on their own.
What causes Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease, or periodontitis, is a dental infection that begins with harmful bacteria that are normally present in the mouth.
Bacteria that cause periodontal disease and tooth decay thrive on tiny food particles that linger after eating. Starchy foods and sugars are the main contributors; they tend to stay around for a longer time in the mouth, making them an ideal source of nutrition fuel for bacteria.
Consistent brushing and flossing helps to remove leftover food particles and reduce oral bacteria levels. If destructive oral bacteria is not removed, it interacts with food debris and saliva to form soft, sticky dental plaque.
It is still possible to remove soft dental plaque with brushing and flossing; however, left undisturbed, plaque will mineralize into hard tartar deposits on the tooth surfaces (calculus) within a short time.
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Patients cannot remove tooth tartar by brushing and flossing alone; a dentist or dental hygienist must remove the hardened deposits from the tooth surfaces with dental instruments. Dental calculus is a constant source of harmful toxins in the mouth. The gums will become inflamed and pull away from teeth as the oral infection persists and spreads to the jaw bone.
What are the warning signs of Periodontal Disease?
- Gums that bleed when brushing or flossing.
- Receding gums or teeth that appear ‘long’.
- Loose teeth or sensitive teeth.
- Chronic bad breath or constant bad taste in mouth.
- A change in the bite, or a change in how removable dental appliances fit (partial dentures, dentures or orthodontic retainers).
Health care professionals continue to reveal connections between periodontal disease and physical well-being. Studies confirm that infection and inflammation related to periodontal disease can affect the health of the entire body; oral bacteria that cause periodontal disease have been linked to complications with other illnesses, including diabetes, heart disease and inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
How is Periodontal Disease Diagnosed and Treated?
Dr. Zanthos performs a periodontal health assessment during routine dental check-up appointments by measuring the gums around the teeth (periodontal pockets) and reviewing current dental x-rays to check bone levels. If the gums have lost a significant level of attachment to the teeth and bone loss is evident, he may arrive at a diagnosis of periodontal disease.
If periodontal disease is detected in the early stages, Dr. Zanthos may recommend non-surgical procedures to remove diseased tissue and hard deposits from the tooth roots to promote healing (root planing). Advanced cases of periodontal disease are referred to a gum specialist, or periodontist for evaluation for surgical treatment.
The first step to knowing your periodontal ‘numbers’ and where you stand with your oral health is a complete dental examination and periodontal assessment. Contact Premier Family Dentistry of Alabaster to schedule a New Patient Exam and Consultation visit with Dr. Joseph Zanthos and let us help keep your gums and your smile healthy.