What Causes Gum Disease Other Causes of Periodontal Disease What are the signs?

Diagnosis Treatment

What Causes Gum Disease



Gum disease is caused by plaque, a colorless film of bacteria that forms on the teeth. Plaque mixes with sugars and starches in the diet to form acids and other by-products in the mouth, irritating the gums and causing them to become red, tender and swollen. It also causes the gums to bleed easily. If not removed daily, plaque hardens to form calculus (tarter) around the necks of the teeth.

The tissue that attaches the gums to the teeth can be destroyed by the irritants in plaque. The gums pull away from the teeth and small pockets form between the teeth and gums. These pockets become filled with more plaque. As the pockets deepen, it becomes impossible for you to clean the plaque out. Eventually, the bone structure supporting the teeth can be destroyed.


Other Causes of Periodontal Disease


1. Physical and chemical irritants- Impacted food, tobacco products, alcohol and the improper use of dental floss or toothpicks may irritate gum tissue.

2. Abnormal oral conditions or habits- Badly aligned teeth, poorly fitting bridges or partial dentures, defective fillings and harmfull habits, such as grinding the teeth and chewing ice, can also cause problems.

3. Unbalanced Diet- Evidence shows a link between nutritional deficiency and the body's ability to fight off infection.

4. Pregnancy- Due to fluctuations in hormone levels, a temporary condition referred to as "pregnancy gingivitis" may occur.

5. Certain medications- Oral contraceptives, anti-epilepsy drugs, steroids and cancer therapy drugs may have a negative affect.

6. Certain disease- Diabetes, uremia, liver cirrhosis, anemia and leukemia are among the many diseases that may affect the health of your gums.




What Are the Signs?


Gums that bleed when you brush or floss your teeth
Red, Swollen or Tender gums
Gums that have receded or shrunken away from you teeth
Pus between your teeth when you press your gums with your finger
Pain when chewing
Calculus or tartar buildup
Teeth that seem loose or that change position
Changes in our bite
Changes in the way your partial dentures fit
Bad breath or a chronic bad taste in your mouth
Teeth that are overly sensitive to hot and cold




Diagnosis

A thorough oral examination, including x-rays, is crucial to diagnosing periodontal disease. In most cases, we recommended an in-office exam and tooth cleaning for all adults twice a year. At the time, we may use a special instrument called a periodontal probe to measure the depth of the pocket between the tooth and the gum tissue. The pocket depth measurements, clinical examination and x-rays help us determine the precise location, extent and severity of gum disease.



Treatment

The type of treatment you require depends on how advanced your particular case is. Individualized treatment may include any of the following:


1. More frequent cleanings. It may take the bacteria at the base of the pocket up to three months to colonize into numbers able to destroy bone. Frequent cleanings can prevent this buildup.

2. Scaling and root planning. Scaling is removing the calculus deposits from your teeth. Root planning is the smoothing of the root surfaces so that the gum tissue can reattach to the tooth.

3. Curettage removes the soft tissue lining the periodontal pocket. This helps the gum tissue to heal.

4. Gingivectomy is the surgical removal of the periodontal pocket to allow easier access for cleaning.

5. Flap surgery allows us to gain access to the root of the tooth for removal of calculus, plaque and diseased tissue. The gum is then secured back into place.

Debra Z. Ehudin, D.D.S.
Prosthodontics/General Dentistry
1852 Reisterstown Rd., Suite 200 Pikesville, MD 21208
(410) 484-2117 / (410) 254-5545
E-mail: info@ehudindental.com

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