- Who is a periodontist?
- What is the definition of Periodontics?
- What are the signs for gum disesase?
- What are the causes for periodontal disease?
- What is plaque?
- What is gingivitis?
- What is Periodontitis?
- What are the types of periodontal disease?
- What are the stages of periodontial disease (periodontitis)?
- What is gingival (gum) recession?
- Is there a genetic link to periodontal disease?
Who is a periodontist?
A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease and in the placement of dental implants. A periodontist typically has had two to three years of additional training in diagnosing and treating gum disease and its associated problems. Periodontists are familiar with the latest techniques for diagnosing and treating periodontal disease. Moreover, periodontists can perform cosmetic periodontal procedures to improve your smile. Often, dentists refer their patients to a periodontist when their periodontal disease is advanced.
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What is the definition of Periodontics?
Periodontics is a dental specialty that involves the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the supporting and surrounding tissues of the teeth or their substitutes and the maintenance of the health, function and esthetics of these structures and tissues.
What are the signs for gum disease?
Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Persistent swollen, red or bleeding gums, sensitive teeth, and bad breath are just some of the warning signs of periodontal (gum) disease ? a serious infection that, left untreated, can lead to tooth loss.
In general, here are the major warning signs:
- Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
- Bleeding gums after tooth brushing or eating hard food
- Emerging spaces between your teeth
- Pain in the mouth
- Persistent bad breath
- Pus between your teeth and gums
- Receding gums (pulling back from your teeth) or teeth appearing longer than before
- Swollen or tender gums
- Unexplained mouth sores
What are the cuases for periodontal disease?
Plaque is the primary cause of periodontal disease. However, other factors can contribute to gum disease. These include:
- A family history of dental disease
- Bad habits such as smoking, which impedes growth and repair of gum tissue, and poor oral hygiene
- Poor nutrition
- Hormonal changes from pregnancy, puberty, menopause, and monthly menstruation. These changes can make gums more sensitive, thereby making it easier for gingivitis to develop
- Illnesses such as cancer or HIV that interfere with the immune system. Diabetes also affects the body's ability to use blood sugar, and thus, diabetics are at higher risk of developing periodontal disease
- Some drugs (such as diphenylhydantoin, also called Dilantin, the anti-angina drug nifedipine, also called Procardia or Adalat), can cause abnormal growth of gum tissue, calcium channel blockers, which are used to control high blood pressure or for people with heart problems, cyclosporine, a medication that suppresses the immune system and is used to keep the body from rejecting transplanted organs, and oral contraceptives)
- Some medications, which lessen the flow of saliva, which has a protective effect on teeth and gums
- Stress
- Clenching or grinding your teeth
Plaque is a film of bacteria that forms on your teeth and gums after eating foods that produce acids. These foods may include carbohydrates (starches and sugars), such as candy and cookies, and starchy foods such as bread, crackers, and cereal.
When plaque remains in your mouth for an extended period of time, it allows the bacteria to "eat away" at the surfaces of your teeth and gums. Ironically, the areas surrounding restored portions of teeth (where fillings, or amalgams have been placed) are particularly vulnerable to decay and are a breeding ground for bacteria.
Plaque can lead to gum irritation, soreness, and redness. Sometimes, your gums may begin to bleed as a result of plaque. This gradual degeneration can often cause gums to pull away from teeth. This condition is called receding gums.
Long-term, plaque can lead to serious problems. Sometimes, the bacteria can form pockets of disease around tooth structures, eventually destroying the bone beneath the tooth.
If caught early, gingivitis can be treated fairly easily and effectively. A small mirror and a probing tool is used to spot bleeding gums. The more spots that bleed, the more likely your gum disease is severe. Hard mineral deposits (tartar) above and below the gum line are a problem area that is usually addressed during this treatment, as are areas where your gums are pulling away from your teeth and pockets have formed between your teeth and gums. Deeper pockets indicate severe gum disease. Paper strips may be inserted into the spaces between your teeth and gums to measure the amount of fluid present. The amount of fluid indicates how much swelling and inflammation you have. X-rays of your teeth may be taken to look for bone damage and other problems.
Periodontitis (periodontal disease) which literally means around the teeth is a bacterial infection that affects soft tissue (gum) and supporting hard tissue (bone) around the teeth.
What are the types of periodontal disease (periodontitis)?
Periodontal (which literally means "around the tooth") diseases are serious bacterial infections that destroy the gums and bones that hold your teeth in your mouth. Left untreated, these diseases can lead to tooth loss. There are many forms of periodontal disease, including:
- Gingivitis
- Aggressive periodontitis
- Chronic periodontitis
- Periodontitis from systemic diseases
- Necrotizing periodontal diseases
What are the stages of periodontal disease (periodontitis)?
Actually, gingivitis and periodontitis are two distinct stages of gum disease.
Gingivitis, also generally called gum disease or periodontal disease, describes the events that begin with bacterial growth in your mouth and may end ? if not properly treated ? with tooth loss due to destruction of the tissue that surrounds your teeth. Gingivitis usually precedes periodontitis. However, not all gingivitis progresses to periodontitis. In the early stage of gingivitis, bacteria in plaque build up and cause the gums to become inflamed (red and swollen) and often easily bleed during tooth brushing.
Although the gums may be irritated, the teeth are still firmly planted in their sockets. No irreversible bone or other tissue damage has occurred at this stage.
When gingivitis is left untreated, it can advance to periodontitis. In a person with periodontitis, the inner layer of the gum and bone pull away from the teeth and form pockets. These small spaces between teeth and gums collect debris and can become infected. The body's immune system fights the bacteria as the plaque spreads and grows below the gum line. Toxins or poisons produced by the bacteria in plaque as well as the body's "good" enzymes involved in fighting infections start to break down the bone and connective tissue that hold teeth in place. As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed. When this happens, teeth are no longer anchored in place, they become looser, and tooth loss occurs.
Aggressive periodontitis is a form of periodontitis that occurs in normally healthy people, and includes rapid attachment loss and bone destruction and familial aggregation.
Chronic periodontitis, the most common form of periodontitis, results in inflammation of the supporting tissues of the teeth, progressive attachment and bone loss and is characterized by pocket formation and/or recession of the gingiva. Progression of attachment loss usually occurs slowly, but periods of rapid progression can occur.
Necrotizing periodontal diseases are infections characterized by necrosis, or death, of gingival tissues, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. These lesions are most commonly seen in individuals with systemic conditions including, but not limited to, HIV infection, malnutrition and immunosuppression.
What is gingival(gum) recession?
Information Coming Soon.
Is there a genetic link to periodontal disesase?
According to the American Academy of Periontology, up to 30% of the general population may be genetically susceptible to gum disease. Despite aggressive oral care habits, these people may be six times more likely to develop periodontal disease. Identifying these people with a genetic test before they even show signs of the disease and getting them into early interventive treatment may help them keep their teeth for a lifetime.
Periodontal disease may be passed from parents to children and between couples, according to an article in the September 1997 issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association. Researchers suggest that bacteria causing periodontal disease are passed though saliva. This means that when a family or couple come into contact with each other's saliva, they're at risk for contracting the periodontal disease of another family member. In some cases, treatment of gum disease may involve entire families. If one family member has periodontal disease, all family members should receive a periodontal disease screening.
