Periodontics simply means "the tissue around the teeth". Unfortunately, periodontal-related problems are often discovered after they have persisted for an extended period of time. Proper oral hygiene, daily dental care and regular dental checkups will minimize the risk of gum disease.
Below is a description of the progression from healthy gums to advanced periodontal disease:
Healthy Gums
The best way to maintain healthy teeth and gums is by removing plaque daily from your teeth through tooth brushing and flossing. Healthy gums have the following features:
- pink or coral color (normal variations in color depend on race and complexion)
- firm, resilient tissues
- "orange-peel" texture (known as stippling)
- shape that follows the contour of the teeth and forms a scalloped edge
- no areas of redness, swelling or inflammation
- no bleeding or discomfort during plaque removal
Gingivitis
Gingivitis occurs when the gums become irritated and swollen because plaque and tartar have built up along the gum line. The gums may be swollen, sore, puffy in appearance and bleed easily.
At this stage, no bone structure has been lost. An early sign of gingivitis is blood on the tooth brush or dental floss. Your gums should never bleed while brushing or flossing. The good news is that with a good brushing and flossing regimen, gingivitis can be not only be reversed, but prevented. However, if poor oral hygiene habits continue, the gingivitis may progress to periodontitis.
What Is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease occurs when the bone and structures supporting the teeth deteriorate and are destroyed by plaque. Periodontitis is irreversible, but you can stop its progression through good oral hygiene and faithfulness to Dr. McDade’s recommended intervals of maintenance.
Eight Warning Signs of Periodontal Disease:
- bleeding gums when you brush or floss your teeth
- red, swollen and tender gums
- gums that have pulled away from your teeth
- infection between the teeth and gums
- permanent teeth that are loose or separating
- any changes in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
- any changes in the fit of your partial denture
- bad breath
- itchy sensation
Early and Moderate Periodontitis
- Periodontitis occurs when the inflammation of the gums progresses into the deeper underlying structures and bone.
- Plaque and calculus are found below the gumline.
- The gums feel irritated, appear bright red and bleed easily.
- The gums begin to pull away from the teeth as the ligaments holding the tooth in its socket break down. This results in space between the tooth and gum, called a periodontal pocket.
- As more bacteria fill the periodontal pocket, the pocket deepens and the supportive ligaments and bone begin to show damage.
- Periodontal pocket depths around teeth are 4-6 mm deep.
Periodontal disease can be present without the patient able to see the plaque. It is important to have regular examinations performed by your hygienist and Dr. McDade to assess your gums and determine if you have periodontal disease.
Advanced Periodontitis
- When periodontal disease progresses to the advanced stage, the gums severely pull away from the teeth and the pockets become deeper and may fill with pus.
- When the receding gums expose the root surface, there may be swelling as well as sensitivity to hot and cold. You may also feel pain when brushing your teeth.
- As bone loss increases, your teeth may lose so much support that they need to be removed to preserve the overall health of your mouth.
- Pocket depths around teeth are 6 mm or more.
Adult periodontal disease usually progresses slowly and is not painful. In fact, you may not even be aware of it until the advanced stages, when the tooth is in danger of being lost. It is important to check your gums thoroughly and regularly. It is also important to go for regular checkups with Dr. McDade and your hygienist. Your dental hygienist can detect the early stages of gum disease, when it is easiest to treat.
There are many benefits to keeping your gums healthy, including chewing with more comfort, speaking with greater confidence and using preventive measures to keep your dental costs low. A commitment to prevention and maintenance is a commitment to better overall health.
Periodontal Maintenance
Undiagnosed periodontal disease is the main reason why adults lose their teeth. Nine out of 10 adults have gum disease of various levels. Some early signs of gum disease include sore gums, bad breath and bleeding gums. Teeth will loosen and separate as the disease progresses, resulting in bite changes and lost teeth. Because gum disease is so prevalent, we perform a comprehensive periodontal exam when you come in for your new patient visit, and will review it on a regular basis at your maintenance visits to your hygienist and Dr. McDade. We strive to not only diagnose this disease early, but to help minimize the bone loss and preserve your smile through maintenance. This approach is our way of customizing your care and delivering highly effective treatment of periodontal disease.
The thorough periodontal examination and evaluation that we do includes:
- Pocket depth measurement of the space between your gums and teeth
- Evaluation of bone loss
- Determination of teeth mobility
- Measurement of gum recession or overgrowth
- Determine the amount of inflammation present
With this data readily available we can review the data that shows changes over time. We can evaluate your relative level of health or disease at any one time. As a result, we can quickly and easily tailor our treatment approach to your specific needs.