What is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease is caused by bacteria. Healthy bacteria are always present in
your mouth and aid in the initial stages of digestion. However, non-healthy bacteria
(periodontal pathogens) may populate the areas around your teeth. This bacteria
causes the gum to separate from the tooth and forms a pocket. As the pocket gets
deeper, the bacteria reaches areas that are not accessible to you for home care
through tooth brushing and flossing. This bacteria sits and grows and releases many
by-products including acids, which make the gums infected, may cause cavities in
the teeth, and cause loss of supporting bone around the teeth. When the periodontal
pockets extend between the roots of the same tooth, the tooth itself now serves
as a catch to harbor more bacteria and make your homecare even more difficult.
The early stages of periodontal disease are called gingivitis. Gingivitis is characterized
by one or more of the following: swollen gums, bleeding gums, bad taste, and/or
exudate (pus). Gingivitis is treatable through a series of "deep cleaning" visits
to remove the bacteria and its products from underneath your gums. When this is
accomplished, in conjunction with your homecare efforts, the gums shrink and regain
their natural form. The pockets are, thus, reduced or eliminated.
Sometimes, the gingival inflammation may be of a more acute nature, and may result
in ANUG (acute narcotizing ulcerative gingivitis), more commonly known as "trench
mouth". In such situations, it is important to utilize the correct antibiotics in
combination with gentle cleaning visits to eliminate the problems present without
causing excessive gum shrinkage and recession.
When periodontal disease progresses to the stage of causing loss of supporting bone
around the teeth, "deep cleaning" visits are usually not adequate to eliminate the
problems. Very often, the gum and bone may have to be reshaped or rebuilt to eliminate
the pockets and make these areas maintainable by you with brushing and flossing.
Once periodontal disease is eliminated, either through "deep cleaning" visits or
reshaping and rebuilding procedures to eliminate pockets, all you have to do to
maintain your periodontal health long term is perform proper homecare efforts with
your brush and floss, and see your periodontist and restorative dentist for regular
cleanings.
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