GUM DISEASES (Periodontal Diseases) What is periodontal disease?Periodontal diseases are inflammatory diseases that affect the gums and other tissues that support the teeth. Periodontal diseases are responsible for 70% of tooth loss in adults. These diseases can be easily and successfully treated when diagnosed early.
Preventing or treating gum diseases also brings other benefits such as protecting natural teeth, providing easier chewing and better digestion.
Periodontal diseases start with gingivitis. In other words, gingivitis is the early stage of periodontal disease. During this period, the gums are bleeding, red and enlarged in volume. It may not cause much discomfort in the early stage. If left untreated, the disease can progress to periodontitis and cause irreversible damage to the gums and alveolar bone that supports the teeth.
Periodontitis is a more advanced stage of periodontal diseases. Damage occurs to the alveolar bone along with other tissues that support the teeth. A “periodontal pocket” is formed between the tooth and the gum. The presence of periodontal pockets facilitates the location of the infection and the progression of the disease. As the disease progresses, the teeth begin to wobble and may even need to be extracted.
What are the symptoms of gum disease?
There are many symptoms of gum disease;
Gums that bleed during tooth brushing
Red, swollen and sensitive gums
Gums that can easily separate from the teeth and move away from them
Inflammatory discharge between the teeth and gums
Teeth that wobble or move away from each other (gaps between teeth or an increase in existing gaps)
Changes in the relationship between the upper and lower teeth during biting
Changes or deterioration in the fit of partial dentures
Constant bad breath
However, periodontal disease can reach advanced stages without showing any symptoms. Therefore, it is extremely important to visit the dentist at regular intervals.
What is the cause of gum disease? plaque
The most important cause of gum disease is the sticky and colorless film layer called “bacterial dental plaque” that accumulates on the teeth. Removing dental plaque by daily brushing and flossing is a basic requirement for a healthy mouth. If plaque is not effectively removed from the teeth, it turns into an irregular surface and permeable structure known as tartar or calculus. Harmful products released by bacteria in plaque cause irritation in the gums. Due to these products, the fibers that tightly connect the gum to the tooth are destroyed, the gum moves away from the tooth and a periodontal pocket is formed. This makes it easier for bacteria and their products to move into deeper tissues. As the disease progresses, the pocket deepens, the bacteria move deeper; all the way to the bone and the destruction begins in the alveolar bone that supports the tooth. If the disease is left untreated, the teeth eventually become loose and may even need to be extracted.
How is gum disease prevented?
The most important task in preventing periodontal disease falls on the person himself. In order to maintain healthy teeth, bacterial dental plaque must be removed with daily oral care procedures (brushing teeth and flossing). It is equally important to visit the dentist at regular intervals.
Daily oral care procedures can minimize tartar formation, but may not prevent it completely. Areas that cannot be reached with a toothbrush, dental floss or other cleaning tools should be evaluated by a dentist to remove existing dental plaque and/or tartar.
What is the treatment for gum disease?
In the early stages of gum disease, treatment involves removing the plaque and tartar on the teeth and providing a smooth root surface. This procedure removes bacteria and irritants that cause inflammation in the gum. This treatment is usually sufficient for the gum to adapt to the tooth again or for the gum to shrink and eliminate the pocket.
In the early stages of gum disease, in the majority of cases, daily effective oral care following tartar cleaning, plaque removal and providing a smooth root surface is sufficient for successful treatment. More advanced cases may require surgical treatment. The aim of this treatment is to clean the tartar in the deep periodontal pockets surrounding the teeth, to eliminate the pocket by shrinking it and to provide a smooth root surface and to create a more easily cleanable gingival form.
After periodontal treatment, patients should be examined regularly by a dentist, plaque control and new tartar accumulations should be removed from the environment. However, it should not be forgotten that no procedure is more beneficial than the effective application of daily oral care procedures in order to maintain what is achieved with periodontal treatment.