How Is Periodontal Disease Treated?
Filed under: Dental Health, Health Related, Periodontal disease
The main goal of treatment is to control the infection. The number and types of treatment will vary, depending on the extent of the gum disease. Any type of treatment requires that the patient keep up good daily care at home. Additionally, modifying certain behaviors such as quitting tobacco use, might also be suggested as a way to improve treatment outcome.
The dentist, periodontist, or dental hygienist removes the plaque through a deep-cleaning method called scaling and root planing. Scaling means scraping off the tartar from above and below the gum line. Root planing gets rid of rough spots on the tooth root where germs gather, and helps remove bacteria that contribute to the disease.
Medications may be used with treatment that includes scaling and root planing, but they cannot always take the place of surgery. Depending on the severity of gum disease, the dentist or periodontist may still suggest surgical treatment. These are some medications that are currently used:
- Prescription antimicrobial mouthrinse
- Antiseptic ‘chip’
- Antibiotic gel
- Enzyme suppressant
Surgical treatments are also sometimes used to treat periodontal disease in areas that are not responding to non-surgical treatments. Surgical options include:
- Flap surgery
- Bone and tissue grafts
When considering any extensive dental or medical treatment options, you should think about getting a second opinion. Make sure you have had a complete explanation of the treatment plan and that you are comfortable with the dentist and office you are going with.
How Do I Know If I Have Periodontal Disease?
Symptoms are often not noticeable until the disease is advanced. They include:
- Bad breath that won’t go away
- Red, tender, or swollen gums
- Painful chewing
- Loose teeth
- Sensitive Teeth
Any of these symptoms may signal a serious problem which should be checked by a dentist. At your dental visit:
- The dentist will ask about your medical history to identify underlying conditions or risk factors (such as smoking) that may contribute to periodontal disease.
- The dentist or hygienist will examine your gums and note any signs of inflammation.
- The dentist or hygienist will use a tiny ruler called a ‘probe’ to check for periodontal pockets and to measure any pockets. In a healthy mouth the depth of these pockets is usually between 1 and 3 millimeters.
- The dentist or hygienist may take an x-ray to see if there is any bone loss.
- The dentist may refer you to a periodontist, a specialist who treats gum disease.
Who Gets Periodontal Disease And How Can I Prevent It?
People usually don’t show signs of gum disease until they are in their 30’s or 40’s. Men are more likely to have periodontal disease than women. Although teenagers rarely develop periodontitis, they can develop gingivitis, the milder form of gum disease. Most commonly, gum disease develops when plaque is allowed to build up along and under the gum line.
What can I do to prevent gum disease?
- Brush your teeth twice a day (with a ‘ADA’ approved fluoride toothpaste)
- Floss daily
- Visit the dentist routinely for a check-up and professional cleaning
- Don’t use tobacco products
More on this subject soon!
Risk Factors For Periodontal Disease
- Smoking. Smoking is one of the most significant risk factors associated with the development of periodontitis. Additionally, smoking can lower the chances of some treatments.
- Hormonal changes in girls/ women. These changes can make gums more sensitive and make it easier for gingivitis to develop.
- Diabetes. People with diabetes are at higher risk for developing infections, including periodontal disease.
- Stress. Research shows that stress can make it more difficult for our bodies to fight infection, including periodontal disease.
- Medications. Some drugs, such as antidepressants and some heart medicines, can affect oral health because they lessen the flow of saliva. (Saliva has a protective effect on teeth and gums.)
- Illnesses. Diseases like cancer or AIDS and their treatments can also affect the health of gums.
- Genetic susceptibility. Some people are more prone to severe periodontal disease than others.
Next- more on periodontal disease!
What Causes Periodontal Disease?
Our mouths are full of bacteria. These bacteria, along with mucus and other particles, constantly form a sticky, colorless “plaque” on teeth. Brushing and flossing help get rid of plaque. Plaque that is not removed can harden and form bacteria-harboring “tartar” that brushing does not clean. Only a professional cleaning by a dentist or hygienist can remove tartar.
Gingivits
The longer plaque and tartar are on teeth, the more harmful they become. The bacteria cause inflammation of the gums that is called “gingivitis.” In gingivitis, the gums become red, swollen and can bleed easily. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that can usually be reversed with daily brushing and flossing, and regular cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist. This form of gum disease does not include any loss of bone and tissue that hold teeth in place.
Periodontitis
When gingivitis is not treated, it can advance to “periodontitis” (which means “inflammation around the tooth.”) In periodontitis, gums pull away from the teeth and form “pockets” that are infected. The body’s immune system fights the bacteria as the plaque spreads and grows below the gum line. Bacterial toxins and the body’s enzymes fighting the infection actually start to break down the bone and connective tissue that hold teeth in place. If not treated, the bones, gums, and connective tissue that support the teeth are destroyed. The teeth may eventually become loose and have to be removed.
Next- Risk Factors
Periodontal disease
If you have been told you have periodontal (gum) disease, you’re not alone. An estimated 80 percent of American adults currently have some form of the disease.
Periodontal diseases range from simple gum inflammation to serious disease that results in major damage to the soft tissue and bone that support the teeth. In the worst cases, teeth are lost.
Gum disease is a threat to your oral health. Research is also pointing to possible health effects of periodontal diseases that go well beyone your mouth. Whether it is stopped, slowed, or gets worse depends a great deal on how well you care for your teeth and gums every day, from this point forward.
To come- What causes periodontal disease?
Oral Cancer
What is oral cancer?
The term oral cancer includes cancers of the mouth and the pharynx (the back of the throat).
What puts someone at risk for developing oral cancer?
Tobacco and alcohol use. Most cases of oral cancer are linked to smoking and heavy alcohol use. Using tobacco plus alcohol together poses a much greater risk than using either substance alone.
HPV. Infection with the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus has been linked to oral cancer.
Age. Risk increases with age. Oral cancer most often occurs in people over the age of 40.
Sun exposure. Can of the lip can be caused by sun exposure.
Diet. A diet low in fruits and vegetables may play a role in oral cancer development.
What are the possible signs and symptoms of oral cancer?
- A sore, irritation, lump or thick patch in the mouth, lip or throat
- A white or red patch in the mouth
- A feeling that something is caught in the throat
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
- Difficulty moving the jaw or tongue
- Numbness in the tongue or other areas of the mouth
- Swelling of the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or become uncomfortable
- Pain in one ear without hearing loss
A person who has any of these symptoms for more than 2 weeks should see a dentist or doctor for an oral cancer exam. Most often, symptoms like those listed above do not mean cancer. An infection or another problem can cause the same symptoms. But it’s important to have the symptoms checked out- because if it is cancer, it can be treated more successfully if it’s caught early.
What is the oral cancer exam?
An oral cancer examination can detect early signs of cancer. The exam is painless and takes only a few minutes.
During the exam, a dentist or doctor checks the face, neck, lips, tongue, mouth, and the back of the throat for possible signs of cancer.
Seal Out Tooth Decay!
What are sealants?
Dental sealants are thin, plastic coatings painted on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. Sealants are painted on as a liquid and hardened to form a shield over the tooth. The placement is simple and painless.
Why get sealants?
The most important reason for getting sealants is to avoid tooth decay. Fluoride in toothpaste and drinking water protects the smooth surfaces of teeth but back teeth need extra protection. Sealants cover the chewing surfaces of back teeth and keep out germs and food.
Having sealants put on teeth before they decay will also save time and money in the long run by avoiding fillings or crowns used to fix decayed teeth.
What causes tooth decay?
Germs in the mouth use the sugar in food to make acids. Over time, the acids can make a cavity in the tooth. Of course, a healthy tooth is the best tooth. So it is important to prevent decay. That’s why sealants are so important.
Why do back teeth decay so easily?
The chewing surfaces of back teeth are rough and uneven because they have small pits and grooves. Food and germs can get stuck in the pits and grooves and stay there a long time because toothbrush bristles cannot brush them away.
Who should get sealants?
Children should get sealants on their permanent teeth as soon the teeth come in- before decay attacks the teeth. The first permanent molars- called “6 year molars”- come in when a child is between the ages of 5 and 7. The second permanent molars - “12 year molars”- come in when a child is between 11 and 13 years old. Other teeth with pits and grooves also might need to be sealed. Teenagers and young adults who are prone to decay may also need sealants.
Should sealants be put on baby teeth?
This may be a good idea if your child’s baby teeth have deep pits and grooves. Baby teeth save space for permanent teeth. It is important to keep baby teeth healthy so they don’t fall out early.
Does insurance pay for sealants?
Some insurance companies pay for sealants. Check with your insurance company for details. If not, sealants are still quite affordable.
How long do sealants last?
Sealants can last up to 10 years. But they need to be checked at regular dental check-ups to make sure they are not chipped or worn away.
Are sealants new?
No, sealants have been around since the 1960’s. Studies have shown that they are safe and effective. But many people do not know about sealants. About 1/3 of children in the United States have sealants on their teeth.
Diabetes: Dental Tips
If you have diabetes, make sure you take care of your mouth. People with diabetes are at risk for mouth infections, especially periodontal (gum) disease. Periodontal disease can damage the gum and bone that hold the teeth in place, and can lead to the loss of teeth. Periodontal disease may also make it hard to control your blood sugar.
Other problems diabetes can cause are dry mouth and a fungal infection called thrush. Dry mouth happens when you don’t have enough saliva. Diabetes may also cause the glucose level in your saliva to increase. Together, these problems may lead to thrush, which causes painful white patches in your mouth.
You can keep your teeth and gums healthy. By controlling your blood glucose, brushing and flossing everyday, and visiting a dentist regularly, you can help prevent periodontal disease. If your diabetes is not under control, you are more likely to develop problems in your mouth.
If you have diabetes, follow these steps:
- Control your blood glucose.
- Brush and floss every day.
- Visit your dentist regularly. Be sure to tell your dentist that you have diabetes.
- Tell your dentist if your dentures don’t fit right, or if your gums are sore.
- Quit smoking. Smoking makes gum disease worse. Your physician or dentist can help you quit.
If you notice dryness, soreness, white patches, or a bad taste in your mouth, or that your gums bleed when you brush and floss, please see your dentist.
What age should my child first see the dentist?
Earlier than you probably think. I recommend a child see the dentist at age 1 or when their first tooth appears, whichever comes first. At the child’s first visit, a cleaning is not done, but it affords the opportunity for the child to get acquainted with the dental team and office in a fun, stress-free environment. An oral exam is done to evaluate the teeth and gums. We make recommendations on proper dental care for the child, and discuss proper nutrition for healthy teeth. We will then set the child up for visits every 6 months to monitor the teeth, and when the child is ready, we will do a cleaning for them. This usually occurs around age 3. We will also do a fluoride treatment and x-rays when we feel the child is ready. This will usually occur around age 4. We always go at the child’s pace, and want them to have a great experience every time they visit our dental office!