Periodontal Disease: General Info
Your gums exist to protect the roots of your teeth from harmful bacteria. Healthy gums and bone anchor your teeth firmly in place to support chewing and provide a youthful, vibrant appearance. If your teeth and gums are not kept healthy, chronic bacterial infections called gingivitis and periodontitis (gum disease) can develop. By age 45, more than 50% of people have some form of gum disease, according to Centers for Disease Control (CDC) studies, however some forms of aggressive periodontitis can affect younger patients as well. If left untreated, gum disease progressively deteriorates the gums and bone supporting your teeth, possibly leading to tooth loss.
Although gum disease affects more than half of the adult population, those affected often do not know they have the disease because it is usually a painless or silent process. This means that you may have gum disease and not even know it until it's too late to treat!
So, how do you know if you have gum disease? Early gum disease is called Gingivitis. It begins when bacteria in the saliva forms plaque around the teeth which causes the gums to become inflamed. Plaque and its toxic by-products irritate the gums, making them red, tender, and more apt to bleed.
In many people, gingivitis may progress to periodontitis over time. When periodontitis occurs, the gums lose their attachment to the teeth allowing bacteria to further penetrate the tissue. As the body attempts to get rid of these bacteria and their toxic by-products, it begins to destroy bone (See below x-ray of a bone defect). This bone loss may cause the gums to recede giving the appearance of long, unsightly teeth. In advanced cases, bone loss may lead to loosening of the teeth and eventually, tooth loss. As a matter of fact, periodontitis is the number one cause of tooth loss in adults!
Certain behaviors and medical conditions can also contribute to periodontal disease such as smoking and tobacco use, diabetes, stress, certain medications, tooth grinding, and poor nutrition. Dr. Paris and Dr. Shumaker will address these contributors in conjunction with your treatment.
It is also now believed that uncontrolled periodontal disease is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke, as recognized by the American College of Cardiologists. Brushing and flossing give you both healthy teeth and a healthy heart!
How can you tell if you have periodontal disease? Many times the symptoms are invisible at early stages and may only be detected by your dentist or hygienist. At advanced stages symptoms include:
- Bleeding gums– during brushing or flossing
- Swollen, sore, or very red gums
- Chronic bad breath or bad taste in your mouth
- Loose or shifting teeth
- The appearance of pus from depressed gums
The good news is that periodontitis also completely treatable and manageable by periodontists such as Dr. Paris and Dr. Shumaker wtih nearly a 90% success rate of treated and maintained patients losing no teeth in long-term studies! We can save your teeth!
Using a small instrument to gently measure the gums around the teeth and cutting edge digital imaging, Dr. Paris and Dr. Shumaker can accurately diagnose the presence and progression of any periodontal disease.
For Periodontal disease treatments please see the drop-down menu above under "Services: Periodontal Disease Treatment" for more information on treatment options we offer.