Risk Factors
•Smoking. Need another reason to quit smoking? Smoking is one of the most significant risk factors associated with the development of periodontitis. Additionally, smoking can lower the chances of success 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.
Who gets periodontal disease?
People usually don’t show signs of gum disease until they are in their 30s or 40s. 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?
Here are some things you can do to prevent periodontal diseases:
•Brush your teeth twice a day (with a fluoride toothpaste)
•Floss every day
•Visit the dentist routinely for a check-up and professional cleaning
•Eat a well balanced diet
•Don’t use tobacco products
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 or swollen gums
•Tender or bleeding 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 whether there is any bone loss.
•The dentist may refer you to a periodontist, a specialist who treats gum diseases.
How is periodontal disease treated?
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.
Deep Cleaning (Scaling and Root Planing)
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 the germs gather, and helps remove bacteria that contribute to the disease.
Medications
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. Long-term studies will be needed to determine whether using medications reduces the need for surgery and whether they are effective over a long period of time. Here are some medications that are currently used: