Periodontal Gum Disease Treatment
Periodontal Gum Disease Treatment in Toronto
- Periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, is a serious infection of the tissues that surround and support the teeth. It occurs when plaque—a sticky film of bacteria—builds up on the teeth and hardens into tartar, leading to inflammation and infection of the gums. If left untreated, periodontal disease can cause the gums to recede, the bone supporting the teeth to deteriorate, and ultimately lead to tooth loss. The symptoms of periodontal disease include red, swollen, and bleeding gums.
- 80% of people have periodontal diseases and being a painless disease, in its initial stages, most people are not aware of it. Periodontal disease is one of the biggest reasons for tooth loss and is also linked to various diseases such as stroke, bacterial pneumonia, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and increased risk during pregnancy.
- There is ongoing research to determine if inflammation and bacteria formed during periodontal diseases affect these systemic diseases and conditions. A healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and regular dental check-ups can lower the risk of periodontal disease.
Signs and Symptoms of Periodontal Disease
- Bleeding gums – There should be no bleeding in the gums, even when you brush vigorously or use dental floss.
- Loose teeth– Also caused by bone loss or weakened periodontal fibers.
- New spacing between teeth – Caused by bone loss.
- Persistent bad breath – Caused by bacteria in the mouth.
- Pus around the teeth and gums – A Sign that there is an infection around your teeth.
- Receding gums – Loss of gum around a tooth.
- Red and puffy gums – Gums should never be red or swollen.
- Tenderness or Discomfort – Plaque, calculus, and bacteria irritate the gums and teeth.
Periodontal Health Procedures
Diagnosis
A periodontal examination helps your dental hygienist to determine if you have periodontal disease and this exam should be a part of your regular dental check-up. There is a pocket or space between the tooth and gums known as the sulcus, which is measured by a periodontal probe. A healthy sulcus should be 3 or less than 3mm without any bleeding.
With the help of the probe, your dentist will evaluate if the pockets or space is deeper than 3mm. When the pockets are more than 4mm, it usually indicates gingivitis or inflammation of the gums and as the pockets get deeper the disease progresses. Your dentist will analyze the depth, amount of bleeding, inflammation, tooth mobility, etc. to diagnose the below:
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is considered as the first stage of periodontal disease. When the plaque and its toxin by-products irritate the gums, making them tender, inflamed, and likely to bleed, it will lead to gingivitis. This disease is reversible by dental scaling and excellent home care including brushing twice and daily flossing.
Periodontitis
Irregular brushing and improper home care can result in plaque and calculus (tartar) buildup and when they continue to grow, the gums begin to recede from the teeth. The deeper the pockets, the more the chances of bacteria and other toxins. Symptoms of periodontitis include highly irritated and inflamed gums that bleed easily. There might be a slight to moderate bone loss as well.
Advanced Periodontitis
Periodontitis disease can become more advanced if not treated on time and your teeth can lose more support as the gums and bone get destroyed by bacteria and toxins present in plaque and calculus. The affected teeth can become loose and may be lost. Other than irritated and inflamed gums, moderate to severe bone loss can be there.
Treatment
- The treatment of periodontal disease depends upon the severity of the disease. Your dental professional will evaluate the best-suited treatment for you. When irritants such as bacteria, plaque, and tartar continue to grow inside the pockets, they damage the gums and the bone supporting the teeth.
- To avoid the progression of the disease which can lead to periodontal disease, it has to be treated in the early stages of gingivitis to avoid further damage to bone. One or two regular cleanings are recommended along with instructions on better home care and oral hygiene has to be followed.
- In the advanced stages, scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) is suggested. It is done on one quadrant of the mouth when the area is numb. During the process, tartar, plaque, and toxins are cleaned from above and below the gum line (scaling) and rough spots on root surfaces are made smooth (planing).
- After the process, the gum tissue and pockets will heal with time and a three-month treatment is recommended if you have periodontal disease. During the treatment, medications, medicated mouth rinses, and, an electric toothbrush is recommended to help control infection and healing. The dentist recommends periodontal surgery if the pockets do not heal after scaling and root planing. You can also consult a periodontist (who specializes in periodontal disease) for the treatment of advanced disease.
Maintenance
When the plaque is not removed within twenty-four hours it can turn into calculus (tartar). Regular home care which includes brushing and flossing can help control plaque and tartar formation.
Your dentist will recommend you have regular maintenance cleanings once every three months after the treatment of periodontal disease. During regular check-ups, your dentist will check if pocket depths are healthy, with no signs of diseases. Your dentist will also remove plaque and tartar above and below the gum lines during these visits.
In addition to your periodontal cleaning and evaluation, your appointment will usually include:
- Examination of diagnostic X-rays (radiographs): Used for detection of tooth decay, tumors, cysts, tooth positions, root position, and bone loss.
- Examination of existing restorations: Check current fillings, crowns, etc.
- Examination of tooth decay: Examine tooth decay by checking all the tooth surfaces.
- Oral hygiene recommendations: Review and recommend oral hygiene aids as needed. (Electric toothbrushes, special periodontal brushes, fluorides, rinses, etc.)
- Teeth polishing: Remove plaque and stains that are not usually removed during brushing and flossing
Healthy oral hygiene with balanced diet and periodontal cleanings are recommended to keep the periodontal disease under control.