Dental Hygiene and Cleaning
Gum Disease
What is gum disease?
Gum disease is an infection of the tissues surrounding the tooth, also called periodontal disease. There are two types of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is inflammation of the gum tissues without the loss of the supporting bone. When the inflammation spreads below the gum line and starts to affect the tissues that support the tooth in its socket (the bone and ligaments) it is known as periodontitis. Individuals who have periodontitis can experience bone loss, gum attachment loss and tooth mobility which can eventually lead to tooth loss.
What causes gum disease?
Gum disease is caused by a growth of bacteria in the mouth, known as plaque. Plaque is a soft sticky cluster of bacteria that irritates the gum tissues causing inflammation. If plaque is left on the teeth for a prolonged period of time, it hardens into a buildup called
calculus or tartar. This irritates the gums even more, causing them to pull away from the tooth, leaving recession or pocketing. As the gum disease progresses, it can start to involve the bone that surrounds the tooth that holds it in place. This degradation of bone
can lead to mobility or tooth loss.
Things that can lead to gum disease include:
- improper oral home care
- irregular dental cleanings
- smoking or chewing tobacco
- having a weakened immune system (ex. diabetes, leukemia, AIDS)
- certain medications
- poor diet
How is gum disease diagnosed?
Gum disease is diagnosed through various screening tools including dental x-rays, oral examination and periodontal probing (taking measurements around the gum line). With these methods, the dental hygienist or dentist can diagnose if you have healthy gums, gingivitis or periodontitis and provide a treatment plan that works best for you.
Treatment of gum disease
Professional dental cleanings provided by the dental hygienist removes plaque and tartar build up above and below the gum line through scaling, root planing and polishing. Other therapies can be used to help treat, stop or slow the progression of gum disease such as the use of antibiotics (doxycycline, tetracycline, and minocycline) or antimicrobials (chlorhexidine) to kill periodontal pathogens, the use of laser therapies, and / or surgical procedures.