Gum is that part of soft tissue that surrounds the tooth. And the infection of this part mostly leads to loss of tooth. In most of the instances the disease is pain free. It is the duty of the patient and the attending dentist to look for that. Our dental surgeons are trained do that. Our dentists will check thoroughly the gums to find out any signs of this disease.
CAUSES
There are multiple causes of periodontal disease which include:
- Poor Oral Hygiene - Which contributes the highest percentage. This include improper brushing , bad food habits, plaque build up
- Diabetes - Research has showed long standing diabetes plays a role on the onset of this medical condition.
- Genetic Predisposition - Family history tends to give a clearer picture during the diagnosis of this disease.
- Habits - Individuals with habits like smoking tend to have more probability of this condition.
- Pregnancy - Some females develop gum conditions during their 2nd and 3rd trimester
- Irregular/ Crooked Tooth - Bad teeth alignment makes difficult to clean the tooth surface which makes the mouth prone to gum conditions
- Artificial Teeth - Maintenance of artificial teeth is a important aspect in long term complication of having gum disease
- Certain Medications - The bacterial load which increases because of this above stated conditions cause toxins to build up inside gum thus by creating spaces between tooth and gum. These are called Periodontal pockets. Stages of Periodontal disease may have Gingivitis and Periodontitis.
- Gingivitis - This usually is the early stage of gum disease. Gum becomes red, swollen and bleeding on brushing
- Periodontitis - This stage is followed by gingivitis. Gums and bine that support the tooth usually become damaged. Gums in periodontitis cause the tooth to become loose.
COMMON SYMPTOMS
- Bleeding gums
- Gums become red, swollen and tender
- Pus discharge
- Bad breath
- Change in taste
- Change in the shape of gum
USUAL TREATMENT OPTIONS
- Surgical (Periodontal Surgery)
- Non Surgical ( Scaling,Root Planning)
POSSIBLE PREVENTION
Regular dental check ups and periodontal examinations are important for maintaining your health and the health of your smile. You don’t have to lose teeth to periodontal disease and by practicing goof oral hygiene at home, you can significantly reduce your chances of ever getting gum disease. Remember to brush regularly, clean between your teeth, eat a balanced diet and schedule regular dental visits to help keep your smile healthy.