Gum disease, also known as periodontitis, is a serious infection that can lead to tooth loss. Periodontal disease can affect one tooth or many teeth. The main cause of periodontal disease is bacterial plaque that constantly forms on your teeth. If not removed, the bacterial toxins accumulate which attack the gums and bone surrounding the tooth structure.
Gingivitis is the mildest form of periodontal disease. It causes the gums to become red, swollen, and bleed easily. There is usually little or no discomfort at this stage. Gingivitis is often caused by inadequate oral hygiene and is reversible with professional treatment and good oral home care. If left untreated, gingivitis will progress to a more severe form of gum disease, known as periodontitis.
In Periodontitis, the chronic bacterial toxins elicits an inflammatory response from the body, leading to bone loss. The attachment of the gums to the teeth is broken down, the bone supporting the teeth is destroyed, and pockets form which harbour bacteria and its by products. As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed. Often, this destructive process has very mild symptoms. Eventually, teeth can become loose and may have to be removed.
To assess your risk of developing gum disease, please take the risk assessment test formulated by the The American Academy of Periodontology.
Research has shown that there is an association between periodontal diseases and other chronic inflammatory conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Additional studies have pointed to a relationship between periodontal disease and stroke. Pregnant women who have periodontal disease may be seven times more likely to have a baby that is born too early and too small.
The first step in treating gum disease is often through non-surgical periodontal treatment. Specialized instruments are used to remove plaque and calculus (tartar) from deep periodontal pockets and to smooth the tooth root to remove bacterial toxins. This is usually carried out under local anesthetic. Adjunctive therapy such as local delivery antibiotics may be recommended as needed on a case-by-case basis.
Most patients do not require further treatment after scaling and root planning. However, the majority of patients will require ongoing maintenance therapy to prevent disease recurrence. Non-surgical therapy does have its limitations, however, and when it does not achieve periodontal health, surgery may be indicated.
Two major teeth whitening options are available today. Both rely on varying concentrations of peroxide and varying application times.
If you show a lot of gum when smiling, a “gummy smile “, or your teeth appear too short, a crown lengthening procedure can be done to improve the appearance. During this procedure, excess gumand bone tissue is removed and reshaped to expose more of the natural tooth. This is usually done to create a natural, broad smile.
If you show a lot of gum when smiling, a “gummy smile “, or your teeth appear too short, a crown lengthening procedure can be done to improve the appearance. During this procedure, excess gumand bone tissue is removed and reshaped to expose more of the natural tooth. This is usually done to create a natural, broad smile.
The gums may recede for various reasons, for example due to over enthusiastic tooth brushing techniques or gum disease. Soft tissue grafts can be used to cover exposed roots due to excessive gingival recession. A tissue graft is taken from the palate area or other donor site and placed over the exposed root. This procedure can restore esthetics, improve function and reduce sensitivity to hot or cold food.
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