What is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease, also referred to as gum disease, is a chronic infection that destroys the gums and teeth-supporting structures. It starts as gingivitis, which is the mild stage and involves redness and inflammation of the gums, but progresses to periodontitis if not treated. Periodontitis results in the loss of gum and bone tissue, as well as teeth. Proper diagnosis and treatment must be achieved for the sake of oral health.
Symptoms and Causes of Periodontal Disease
Here Are The Symptoms of Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is often painless and may develop slowly with no symptoms in the initial stages. Watch for these common signs:
- Wet, swollen, or bleeding gums
- Bad breath (halitosis) that does not go away
- The gums have receded, revealing parts of the teeth
- They are deep pockets between the teeth and gums
- Loosened or shifting teeth
- Pain or discomfort when chewing food
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is very important to get a professional evaluation soon.
Common Causes of Periodontal Disease
The main cause of periodontal diseases can be narrowed down to the accumulation of plaque, which is a sticky film of germs that coats the teeth. Plaque that is not removed by brushing and flossing will turn into tartar, which can be removed only by a dentist or dental hygienist. Other causes of periodontal disease include:
- Poor dental hygiene
- Smoking or the use of tobacco
- Genetic susceptibility
- Hormonal fluctuations (like pregnancy or menopause)
- Chronic illnesses like diabetes
- Stress, which compromises immune function
- Some drugs that decrease saliva production
Knowing these risk factors will help individuals take preventative action to keep gums healthy.
Diagnosis of Periodontal Disease
The initial identity is important to prevent the progression of gingivitis disease. In Kennestone Periodontics, we use advanced clinical techniques to assess the health of our gums. The clinical process usually involves:
Thorough Oral Examination
A periodontist will have a thorough assessment of your gums, searching for inflammation, recession, and pocketing around your teeth.
Periodontal Probing
Periodontal probing is a dental instrument that measures the depth of gum pockets among all your teeth. Pockets 3mm or more could be an indicator of gum disease.
Digital X-Rays
Dental X-rays enable observation of bone loss and other structural changes due to periodontitis.
Bacterial Testing (if needed)
In certain circumstances, bacterial tests are possible in order to pick out individual microbes that can result in gum infection so that the individual microbes can be treated.
Management and Treatment
Treatment of periodontal disease depends on the severity of the condition. Kennstone periodontics provide a variety of solutions to suit individual requirements, including non-surgical treatment to advanced surgical processes.
Non-Surgical Treatments
- Professional Cleaning of the Teeth: In mild instances or as a precaution, a deep cleaning eliminates plaque and tartar accumulation.
- Scaling and Root Planing (Deep Cleaning): This treatment eliminates plaque and tartar below the gumline and smoothes the roots of the teeth to avoid bacterial accumulation.
- Antibiotic Treatment: Oral or topical antibiotics can be used to clear bacterial infections in the gums.
Surgical Treatments (For Advanced Cases)
- Flap Surgery (Pocket Reduction Surgery): Lifting the gums to eliminate tartar and bacteria deep within them, and afterward suturing the gums in a way that ensures improved attachment to the teeth.
- Bone Grafting: If gum disease has resulted in bone loss, bone grafting can be done to replace lost bone and support teeth.
- Guided Tissue Regeneration: This procedure encourages the regrowth of missing bone and gum tissue through the use of specialized membranes.
- Soft Tissue Grafts: When there is extensive gum recession, tissue is taken from elsewhere in the mouth to rebuild the gumline.
Maintaining Gum Health After Treatment
Effective treatment of periodontal disease demands a promise to daily oral hygiene. The patients need to:
- Brush and floss on a daily basis to avoid the accumulation of plaque
- Visit their dentist regularly for checkups and professional cleaning
- Stop smoking and minimize other risk factors
- Have a balanced diet to maintain oral health
- Use antimicrobial mouthwash according to a periodontist’s directions
Trust Kennestone Periodontics for Expert Gum Disease Care
We highly specialize in diagnosing and treating periodontal disease at Kennestone Periodontics Precision Care. The whole team here devotes itself to restoring patients to good gum health and an attractive smile. We ask that you reach out to us right away for an appointment if you have any signs of gum disease or need a professional assessment.