Bleeding gums, recession, and calculus deposits are all signs of potential gum disease. When not taken care of, this can progress deep into your jawbones causing periodontitis. Eight in ten adults suffer from this. Fortunately, this can be treated when diagnosed early.
Board-certified periodontists offer high treatment for periodontal disease Campbell through state-of-the-art scalpel-free laser technology. This greatly heals your gum and enhances overall oral health.
Introduction to periodontal disease
Periodontal disease, also referred to as gum disease, is defined as an inflammation and infection of the tissues surrounding and supporting your tooth. Gums are soft tissues that encircle your teeth and protect them.
If left untreated, periodontal disease may progress and spread to the underlying jawbone causing bone deterioration. This eventually leads to tooth mobility and loss. Periodontal disease can negatively impact your masticatory abilities, speech, and facial aesthetics.
Clinical manifestations of periodontal disease
Periodontal disease symptoms may include:
- Reddish or bluish gums
- Bleeding
- Soreness
- Tenderness
- Swollen gums
- Gum recession
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Loose teeth
- Pus between your teeth and gums
Contributing factors for periodontal disease
Plaque buildup is the prime cause of periodontal disease. It is a sticky film that attaches to your tooth surface creating a favorable environment for bacterial infiltration. The bacteria secrete harmful toxins which can damage the soft tissue leading to severe infection and inflammation.
As the disease progresses, the gums detach from the tooth surface forming gaps between the teeth, known as gingival pockets. There are several stages of gum disease, namely:
- Gingivitis
- Mild periodontitis
- Moderate periodontitis
- Advanced periodontitis
Periodontal disease is more likely to develop due to the following risk factors:
- Family history
- Poor oral hygiene
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Hormonal changes as seen during puberty, and pregnancy
- Stress
- Heart disease
- Certain autoimmune diseases like lupus
Managing periodontal disease
Treatment for periodontal disease depends on the severity of the condition.
Mild periodontal disease
This is an initial stage that can be reversed through non-surgical procedures like:
- Medicated mouthwashes
- Dental cleaning
- Deep scaling
- Root planing
Severe periodontal disease
Advanced periodontal disease may require tooth replacement or modern dental procedures such as:
- LANAP (Laser-assisted new attachment procedure)
- LAPIP (Laser-assisted peri-implant procedure)
- PST (Pinhole surgical technique)
- Bone grafting
Conclusion
Periodontal disease, in the early stage, is usually painless. It is essential to know the warning signs so that you can get an appropriate treatment before the disease worsens. If left untreated can be distressing and may take a toll on your oral and overall general health. The infection may progress to the jawbone and other areas. This can predispose you to several systemic diseases like diabetes, and heart disease.
Seek timely medical help to get rid of infection and get yourself back on track to healthy teeth and gums.
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