Periodontal disease is a progressive condition that starts with gingivitis. Gingivitis is characterized by red or swollen gum tissue and bad breath, but it is easily treated with good daily oral hygiene, including brushing and flossing.
If left untreated, periodontitis can cause tooth loss and damage the jawbone. A dentist may perform scaling and root planning, medicated mouth rinses and antibiotic pills to halt the progression of the disease.
Gum Infection
If you experience pain or swollen gums, it’s important to see a dental professional right away. These are early warning signs of infection that could spread from the mouth to other parts of the body. If left untreated, the bacterial infection that colonizes in the gingival tissue can destroy the jaw bone and lead to tooth loss. The bacteria can also irritate the lungs and cause respiratory problems.
The mildest form of gum disease is called gingivitis, and it is reversible in the early stages with professional treatment and good oral care at home. Gingivitis symptoms include swollen, red gums that bleed easily when brushing or flossing. The bacteria can also hide in pockets between the teeth and the gums where a toothbrush or floss cannot reach. Treatment may include removing the hardened plaque (calculus) that causes gum disease, and regular professional cleanings to remove plaque and tartar as it forms. It is also important to practice good daily oral hygiene, including twice daily brushing and flossing with a fluoride toothpaste and using an interdental or between-the-teeth floss as recommended by a dental professional.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the earliest stage of periodontal disease Louisville Kentucky and it is easily treatable. If caught and treated in this phase, gingivitis can be reversed and tissue damage prevented. If left untreated, however, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, which is irreversible and involves bone loss around the teeth.
Gingivitis typically manifests as inflamed gums that bleed when brushed or flossed. These inflamed gums create pockets around the teeth that can become filled with hard-to-remove bacterial plaque, and this plaque eventually hardens into calculus or tartar.
This gum pocketing may also cause tooth sensitivity, persistent bad breath and, in severe cases, loose or missing teeth. Luckily, gingivitis is preventable through regular dental visits, cleanings and a good home care routine. Keeping to your dental appointment schedule and adhering to your dental care plan can help you avoid gingivitis, as well as many other health concerns.
Periodontitis
Bacteria naturally exist in healthy mouths, but when they stay on teeth longer than they should, a sticky film builds up that is hard to remove. This film is called plaque, and it encourages bacterial growth that leads to inflammation, bone loss and other severe oral health issues. If gum disease is allowed to progress, it can lead to serious systemic health problems as well.
Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease and can be reversed with professional treatment, good at-home oral care and regular dental cleanings. It is characterized by red, puffy and bleeding gums and may cause bad breath.
Left untreated, gingivitis advances to mild periodontitis. At this stage, bacteria seep beneath the gums and begin to destroy the bone that supports your teeth. The bone and tissue that hold your teeth in place break down, and small pockets form around your teeth that trap plaque and bacteria where toothbrushes and floss can’t reach. You may notice that your teeth feel looser and experience pain when you brush or chew.
Periodontal Surgery
A healthy smile is more than just attractive; it’s a gateway to good health. Research has shown that periodontal disease Louisville Kentucky increases the risk for serious systemic diseases like heart disease, diabetes and respiratory problems as well as adverse pregnancy outcomes such as pre-term births and low birth weight babies.
Periodontal disease destroys the bone and gum tissue that support the teeth. The pockets or sulcuses that form provide an unclean space for bacteria to accumulate and grow. This creates irritation to the tissues and can lead to bleeding, pain, swelling, and tooth loss.
During the initial phase of treatment, we usually recommend a deep cleaning called scaling and root planing. This is done one quadrant of the mouth at a time while the area is numb. During this procedure the tartar, plaque, and toxins are removed from above and below the gum line and rough spots on the roots are smoothed (planing). This helps the gum tissue heal and the pockets to shrink. We may also recommend antibiotics or oral rinses to control infection.
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