Gum disease is commonly referred to as periodontitis and usually occurs in stages. The condition should be treated as soon as possible as it can lead to severe infections that damage the soft tissue and jawbone and cause tooth loss if left untreated. You can protect yourself from periodontitis, which is often caused by poor oral hygiene. Brush at least twice a day, floss regularly, and go for regular dental checkups to reduce the chances of getting gum disease. This article will discuss gum disease, its causes, symptoms, and available treatment options.
Gum disease is caused by the accumulation of plaque and bacteria on the teeth and gums, often due to bad oral hygiene. Here is how plaque advances to periodontitis:
Plaque starts forming on your teeth when you consume starch and sugars that later interact with bacteria in your mouth. Not brushing your teeth or brushing your teeth inefficiently can allow bacteria and plaque to thrive inside your mouth.
With time the plaque collecting inside your mouth will start to harden and turn into calculus. The tartar will form around your teeth and gum line and become harder to remove through regular brushing. The longer the tartar and plaque stay on your teeth, the higher the chances of getting gum disease, tooth infection, and cavities. We recommend regular cleanings and checkups in Mississauga, ON, as it is more effective at removing plaque and tartar than brushing and flossing.
If you don’t go for dental cleaning, the plaque and tartar will eventually manifest into gingivitis. Gingivitis is the mildest form of gum disease and the first stage of periodontitis. It causes irritation and inflammation of the gum tissue around the base of the affected tooth (gingiva). The condition can be reversed at this stage, so see a dentist in Mississauga, ON, as soon as possible.
The last stage after the onset of gingivitis is gum disease. The condition will be mild at first but advance to severe stages if no treatment is administered after the spread of infection. Gum pockets would be larger and contain a lot of bacteria. Dental pain would be too severe, and the gums would be damaged to the point where your teeth would be loose. Eventually, your teeth will loosen, and some will come off.
Healthy gums should be firm and have a pink tone. You should see a dentist if you have any of the signs below:
Treatment for gum disease will vary depending on what stage you are in. That being said, you can expect any of the following treatments:
Non-surgical treatment is effective for patients with mild periodontitis. The treatment includes:
Scaling and Root Planning: Scaling and root planning is popularly referred to as deep dental cleaning. The procedure is quite similar to regular dental cleaning but uses local anesthesia to numb the gum tissue.
Antibiotics: Antibiotics are very effective against bacterial infections. Your dentist may recommend an oral antibiotic to fight off the infection or place a topical antibiotic under the gums infected with bacteria.
Surgical treatment for periodontitis is usually recommended for moderate to severe periodontitis. The treatment option includes:
If you’ve lost a lot of bone tissue, your dentist may recommend bone grafting to strengthen the jaw bone. During the procedure, your dentist will use a bone grafting material to strengthen the area affected by bone loss/ bone deterioration. The material used can be a natural bone taken from your body, donated, or synthetic.
Many people have not heard of this procedure before. Your dentist will make an incision on your gum line and temporarily move your gum tissue away from your teeth. Doing so will allow your dentist to see your tooth roots more easily so they can clean them thoroughly.
Gum disease often causes the gum tissue to recede (pull away) from your teeth, leaving your tooth roots exposed and susceptible to cavities. Gum grafting enables your dentist to replace the gum tissue lost during gum recessing, covering the exposed teeth roots. This will make your smile more attractive and reduce the risk of further gum recession.
This procedure involves using a special biocompatible membrane placed between existing bone and tooth. The membrane prevents unwanted tissue from growing in the affected area while encouraging bone tissue to regrow.
PRP uses platelet-rich plasma to encourage new bone growth in areas with inadequate bone tissue. Our dentist in Mississauga, ON, will platelet-rich plasma from your blood sample and spin it in a centrifuge to separate plasma from your red and white blood cells.
Periodontitis is a common dental problem known to cause tooth and gum loss if left untreated for an extended period. Practice good dental hygiene and visit Millway Dental to have access to the best dentist near you. We perform dental checkups, cleanings, and other dental care treatments to help you stay protected from periodontitis and other oral problems.
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