Gum Disease “Periodontal” disease, cause, symptoms, treatment, and prevention!

Overview:

Periodontal (gum) disease is an infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place. It’s typically caused by poor brushing and flossing habits that allow plaque—a sticky film of bacteria—to build upon the teeth and harden. In advanced stages, periodontal disease can lead to sore, bleeding gums; painful chewing problems; and even tooth loss.

Causes:

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 “tartar” that brushing doesn’t clean. Only a professional cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist can remove tartar.

Poor oral hygiene, such as not brushing your teeth properly or regularly, can cause plaque to build upon your teeth.

Plaque:

Your mouth is full of bacteria that combine with saliva to form a sticky film known as plaque, which builds up on your teeth.

When you consume food and drink high in carbohydrates (sugary or starchy foods), bacteria in plaque turn carbohydrates into the energy they need, producing acid at the same time.
Over time, the acid in plaque begins to break down your tooth’s surface and causes tooth decay.
Other bacteria in plaque can also irritate your gums, making them inflamed and sore.
Plaque is usually easy to remove by brushing and flossing your teeth, but it can harden and form a substance called tartar if it’s not removed.
Tartar sticks much more firmly to teeth than plaque and can usually only be removed by a dentist or dental hygienist.

There are a number of risk factors for gum disease, but smoking is the most significant. Smoking also can make treatment for gum disease less successful. Other risk factors include diabetes; hormonal changes in girls and women; diabetes; medications that lessen the flow of saliva; certain illnesses, such as AIDS, and their medications; and genetic susceptibility.

Signs And Symptoms:

Gum Disease symptoms can range from slightly swollen gums to full-on oral infections, which may lead to tooth loss or mouth ulcers. It’s usually caused by poor oral hygiene, but studies show that people with a family history of periodontal problems may be more likely to develop gum disease in their lifetime. Symptoms may include:

Bad breath that won’t go away.
Red or swollen gums.
Tender or bleeding gums.
Painful chewing.
Loose teeth.
Sensitive teeth.
Receding gums or longer appearing teeth.

Risk Factors:

Smoking.
Your age – gum disease becomes more common as you get older.
Diabetes – a lifelong condition that causes a person’s blood sugar levels to become too high.
Pregnancy – hormonal changes can make gums more vulnerable to plaque.
A weakened immune system – for example, because of conditions like HIV and AIDS or certain treatments, such as chemotherapy.
Malnutrition – a condition that occurs when a person’s diet does not contain the right amount of nutrients.
Stress.

You may also be more likely to have gum disease if you’re taking medicines that cause a dry mouth. These medicines include antidepressants and antihistamines.

Gum Disease Stages:

First Stage (Gingivitis):

Clinically known as gingivitis (gingival = gums, itis = inflammation),

the first stage of gum disease simply refers to the inflammation of your gums.
In the early or first stage of gum disease, bacteria-laden plaque builds up gradually, eventually irritating the gums.
It has been suggested that this irritation is caused due to the toxins released by the accumulated bacteria.
As a result, the gum becomes inflamed, may swell, redden and bleed quickly and easily while brushing the teeth.

1st Stage Characteristics:

Calculus along your sensitive gum line is changed into a rough surface on which plaque accumulates.
Tender, red, sore, and bleeding gums
Bad breath may or may not be present.
Spaces between the gum and tooth (periodontal pockets) may exist (though not always) due to the damages caused to the periodontal fibers that hold the gums tightly against the teeth.
No underlying bone is involved or damaged
This is relatively a mild form of gum disease and is easily reversible if treated early and properly

Second Stage (Periodontitis):

If the first stage is left untreated, the second stage often results in which the plaque turns into hard tartar which would not be removed by brushing alone. Also known as Periodontitis, it is a moderately severe form of gum disease which requires aggressive treatment.

2nd Stage Characteristics:

Unlike the first stage, plaque (and/or calculus) is not found “along” but “below” the gum line.
Bad breath is present.
Tender, red, sore, and bleeding gums may also be present.
Periodontal pockets are formed as the dental tissues (gums and supportive ligaments) begin to pull away from the teeth. These pockets act as a trap for infection.
Bone starts to show damage, often leading to loose permanent teeth.
While relatively hard to treat, this stage can be reversed if addressed early and properly.

Third Stage (Advanced Periodontitis):

Also known as advanced or severe periodontitis, this stage represents the irreversible and complicated form of gum disease which is characterized by bone involvement, tooth decay, and permanent tooth loss.

3d Stage Characteristics:

Periodontal pockets deepen and create more space for even increased bacterial activity which creates until eventually the bones holding the teeth are damaged and destroyed, leading to tooth decay and loss.
The deeper pockets may fill with pus. This pus exists between the teeth and gums and is more visible when the gums are pressed together.
There may be swelling around the root which leads to even greater bone loss.
Your bite is affected.
Your permanent teeth may lose so much support that either they fall out or need to be removed forever.
This third and the final; stage of gum disorder is irreversible.

Compilcations:

If you develop gingivitis and do not have the plaque or tartar (hardened plaque) removed from your teeth, the condition may get worse and lead to periodontitis.

You may develop further complications if you do not treat periodontitis, where the tissue that supports teeth is affected.

These include:

Recurrent gum abscesses (painful collections of pus).
Increasing damage to the periodontal ligament (the tissue that connects the tooth to the socket).
Increasing damage to and loss of the alveolar bone (the bone in the jaw that contains the sockets of the teeth).
Receding gums.
Loose teeth.
Loss of teeth.

Other complications:

Gum disease has also been associated with an increased risk for a number of other health conditions, including:

Cardiovascular disease.
Lung infections.
Premature labor and having a baby with a low birth weight if you’re affected during pregnancy.

But while people with gum disease may have an increased risk of these problems, there’s not currently any clear evidence that gum disease directly causes them.

Diagnosis:

At a dental visit, a dentist or dental hygienist will:

Examine your gums and note any signs of inflammation.
Use a tiny ruler called a “probe” to check for and measure any pockets around the teeth. In a healthy mouth, the depth of these pockets is usually between 1 and 3 millimeters. This test for pocket depth is usually painless.
Ask about your medical history to identify conditions or risk factors (such as smoking or diabetes) that may contribute to gum disease.

The dental professional may also:

Take an x-ray to see whether there is any bone loss.
Refer you to a periodontist. Periodontists are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of gum disease and may provide you with treatment options that are not offered by your dentist.

Treatment Options:

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. The dentist may also suggest changing certain behaviors, such as quitting smoking, as a way to improve your treatment results.

A. Non-Surgical:

Not all gum disease treatment options require surgery. In fact, most do not. Dentists and periodontists are bound by ethics to look for the least invasive options possible as a starting point. In some cases, this may mean surgery. In many cases, however, there are effective alternatives. Scaling and root planning are among the most popular methods.

These can get rid of plaque and tartar from the periodontal pockets and will also work to smooth out the root of the tooth. This can sometimes be all you need to get back on the path to healthy gums and teeth. Other times, you’ll need more invasive techniques.

B. Surgical:

Sometimes the non-invasive approach is not sufficient to address a patient’s issues. If this is true, surgery may become an option. There are four primary types of gum disease treatment surgeries (though some dentists may go another route, depending on the circumstances). They include:

Pocket reduction.
Regenerative procedures.
Dental crown lengthening.
And gum graft.

Your dentist or periodontist will look at one of these surgical options if they determine that your gum tissue is too unhealthy to be repaired with noninvasive methods.

C. Laser Therapy:

There is a growing movement to bring lasers into the mix as a form of gum disease treatment. Lasers are building in popularity across the dental spectrum, and this is another way in which they can be used to further oral care.

Some dentists have begun using them in conjunction with traditional scaling and root planing procedures, as research has begun to suggest that it may provide additional benefits. This research has also shown that it can reduce bleeding on the part of the patient during surgery, which can eliminate some of the risks of infection. Talk to your dentist about the use of lasers in periodontal therapy.

Prevention:

Learning how to prevent gum disease is pretty easy.

1. Practice Good Dental Hygiene:

Thoroughly brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day.
It is also advised to brush your teeth after eating meals. This will prevent plaque build-up and oral infections.
You should use a soft-bristled toothbrush and change it every three to four months.
Flossing and interdental cleaning can help remove food particles between the teeth and under the gum line.
An electric toothbrush can be used to remove the tartar and plaque.
Make sure the toothpaste and mouthwash you use contain fluoride as it can prevent tooth decay, making them strong and healthy.
Moreover, a dental pick can also be used to clean the food particles and plaque from between teeth.

2. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle:

To prevent gum disease, it is critical to maintaining a healthy diet:

Be sure to avoid foods that contain sugar and starches as well as sugar-filled drinks as they can destroy your teeth.
In addition, also try to avoid foods such as candies, chocolates, caramels, mints that can stick to your teeth for a longer period of time and cause serious damage to your teeth.
Eating a healthy and nutrition-filled diet can boost your immunity and maintain overall well-being.

3. Use Antiseptic Mouthwash:

Be careful when you rinse your mouth with popular mouthwashes.
Most over-the-counter rinses only eliminate bad breath.
they do nothing to eliminate the bacteria that cause it in your mouth.
Ask your dentists for recommendations, who knows more than about preventing gum disease than they do?

4. Stay Hydrated:

Drinking plenty of water is greatly advised to produce saliva, which has a natural ability to kill off the harmful bacteria that can cause periodontal disease.

5. Avoid Conditions That Promote Gum Disease:

Another useful method to prevent periodontal disease is to avoid all those actions that can increase the risk of developing gingivitis.

Smoking is a major contributor to periodontal disease and should be ceased immediately to prevent this serious health concern
As tobacco products can greatly damage your gum tissues.
Various health conditions such as diabetes, malnutrition, and AIDS also increase the risk of developing gum disease.

6. Visit Your Dentist Regularly:

Regular dental check-ups and cleaning are important to prevent any kind of dental damage or gum erosion. Your dentist will examine your mouth, teeth, and gum and give helpful advice on how to maintain good oral hygiene. Indeed, regular visits to your dentist are important to ensure healthy gum and teeth.

Can Gum Disease Cause Health Problems Beyond The Mouth?

Studies:

A. In some studies, researchers have observed that people with gum disease (when compared to people without gum disease) were more likely to develop heart disease or have difficulty controlling blood sugar.
B. Other studies showed that women with gum disease were more likely than those with healthy gums to deliver preterm, low birth weight babies. But so far, it has not been determined whether gum disease is the cause of these conditions.

There may be other reasons people with gum disease sometimes develop additional health problems.

For example:

something else may be causing both the gum disease and the other condition, or it could be a coincidence that gum disease and other health problems are present together. More research is needed to clarify whether gum disease actually causes health problems beyond the mouth and whether treating gum disease can keep other health conditions from developing.

In the meantime, it’s a fact that controlling gum disease can save your teeth a very good reason to take care of your teeth and gums.

Nutritional Cure For Gum Disease:

A nutritional cure for gum disease may be possible.

I. Vitamins C:

Eating foods rich in vitamin C can help relieve gum disease because vitamin C is an antioxidant.
Also, vitamin C can lower the risk of developing severe gingivitis.
It is well known among dental professionals that vitamin C and gum disease are related.
Vitamin C is needed to repair the connective fibers and it also hastens the regeneration of the damaged bone.
A 500-milligram intake of calcium twice a day in a span of six months can reduce the symptoms of gum disease.
Although calcium can reduce the bleeding of the gums and tooth loss, it has little effect on most cases.

II. Vitamin D:

Another nutritional cure for gum disease is vitamin D.

vitamin D has some anti-inflammatory properties that help soothes the inflamed gums.
Also, recent studies show that high vitamin D levels in the blood can lessen the bleeding of the gums.
Sun exposure is one of the most abundant sources of vitamin D.
Experts recommend a total of 10 to 15 minutes of exposure done twice weekly can meet the recommended amount of vitamin D.

III. Folic Acid:

Folic acid is also a nutritional cure for gum disease.
Folic acid, when taken in a form of a capsule, can be very effective.
Rinsing the mouth with a folic acid solution can also reduce the bleeding and inflammation of the gums.
On the other hand, folic acid in capsule form has no effect on pregnant women who have gum disease.
Only the mouthwash solution is effective on pregnant women.

The following foods can help you obtain your recommended amount of folic acid:

Leafy green vegetables, such as spinach.
Citrus fruits, such as orange juice.
Beans.
Bread.
Cereals.
Rice.
Pasta.

IV. Cranberry juice:

Cranberry juice is a good nutritional cure for gum disease.

Cranberries help fight gum disease by preventing bacteria from sticking to the teeth.
A recommended four ounces of cranberry juice a day is sufficient enough to prevent gum disease.

Experts recommend that you consult your doctor for a proper nutritional cure for gum disease to prevent any complication of the gum disease.

Follow the doctor’s advice and visit your dentist regularly to monitor the progress of the gum problem. Remember, gum disease may and can lead to heart problems. Take good care of your gums to have a healthy heart.

Summing Up:

You can keep your gums and teeth healthy by:

Brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
Flossing regularly to remove plaque from between teeth. Or, you can use a device such as a special brush, wooden or plastic pick, or a “water flosser” recommended by a dental professional.
Visiting the dentist routinely for a check-up and professional cleaning.
Quitting smoking.

If you find this article useful, don’t forget to share it with your friends and family, as you might help someone in need. Thanks.

Disclaimer: “Nothing in this article makes any claim to offer cures or treatment of any disease or illness. If you are sick please consult with your doctor.”

Sources

https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/bad-breath/hormones-bad-breath-connectionhidden content