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Advanced Periodontal Disease

Every once in a while, some of us see a bit of blood on our toothbrush, and shrug it off as just one of those things. However, this may be an early sign of gingivitis. Gingivitis left untreated progresses to periodontal disease and you may not even be aware of this until you're in 30's or 40's, when signs become more apparent.

  1. What is Periodontal Disease

    • Periodontal disease is an advanced form of gingivitis. It causes deep-pocketed gum and tooth infections. This infection goes down below the surface of the gums to the tooth's structural support. It then causes the tartar and plaque to buildup between the teeth and gums, which then spreads underneath the tooth to the bone. This buildup causes the gums to swell and bleed. The teeth become loose and the bacterium causes the breath to smell. If left untreated Periodontal disease can cause the teeth to become so badly damaged or loose that they will eventually fall out or have to be removed.

    Causes

    • The main cause of periodontal disease is long-term buildup of plaque and tartar that lead to Gingivitis in the first stage. Gingivitis is a condition that causes gum inflammation due to this buildup, which may make the gums susceptible to bleeding and infection. The gums become loose and bacteria seep into the gum pockets. Left untreated, this condition progresses to periodontal disease, which is a more advanced form of gum disease. In the advanced stage, periodontal disease can be painful, due to bone loss and loose teeth. (According to Merck.com Periodontal disease is the leading cause of geriatric tooth loss.)(See References 1)

    Symptoms and Diagnosis

    • Symptoms of periodontal disease are bleeding, inflamed gums, and halitosis (bad breath). The teeth may be loose, painful, and infected. The loose teeth cause pockets to form between the gums and teeth. Dentists will measure the depth of the pockets with an instrument called a probe in order to see the severity of the periodontal disease. He will also perform an x-ray to show the amount of bone loss in the teeth affected.

    Surgical Correction

    • Periodontal disease cannot be cured on its own. Personal cleaning can only clean two to three millimeters below the gum line. However, dentists can clean two to three millimeters deeper using a method that cleans tartar and plaque as well as the surface of the diseased root. Pockets deeper than this must be corrected with a surgical procedure called, periodontal flap surgery. This procedure will enable the dentist to correct defective bones and clean deeper into the pockets. Dentists may also remove the infected and separated gums in a procedure called a Gingivectomy; then at home, you can remove the plaque on your own, once the rest of the gums remaining, reattach.

    Medication

    • Your Dentist may prescribe medication in addition to this, and it may also be a first course of treatment. The medications prescribed are usually antibiotics such as Amoxil, Trimox or Flagyl. The dentist may insert a gel or filament filled with antibiotics into the gum pocket so it may reach the infected areas. If this is not possible surgery may be needed to correct the damaged bone, and mouthwash will be given after, called Hibiclens. This mouthwash is to be used twice daily to eliminate pain. It is also used in place of brushing or flossing temporarily.

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