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Gum Care
Periodontal Disease
The earlier you treat periodontal disease, the
easier it is to control, and the better chance
you have of restoring the health of your mouth
and saving your teeth. Check out Before
and After photos.
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In a healthy
mouth, teeth fit snugly in their sockets,
their roots surrounded by a strong foundation
of gums and other supportive tissue. |
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Stages
of the Disease |
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Gingivitis
If not removed regularly from teeth and
gums, bacteria grow out of control and produce
toxins that irritate your gums. Calculus
along the gum line forms a rough surface
on which plaque accumulates, causing more
irritation and swelling. You may notice
sore, bleeding gums or bad breath. Spaces
between gum and tooth (pockets) may exist,
but no bone is damaged in this mild, reversible
form of periodontal disease.
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Periodontitis
The most common cause of periodontitis plaque
(and sometimes calculus) is found bellow the
gum line. The ligaments break down and the
gum detaches and pulls away from the teeth.
The pockets deepen and fill with more bacteria.
Supportive ligaments and bone start to show
damage, resulting in loose teeth. |
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Advanced
Periodontitis
When periodontitis progresses to the advanced
stage, pockets deepen and may fill with pus.
There may be swelling around the root and
bone loss increases, your teeth may lose so
much support that they fall out or need to
be removed to preserve the overall health
of your mouth. |
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Symptoms / Diagnosis
At home, you can be on the alert for the
warning signs of periodontal disease. If
you have any of the following symptoms,
see your dentist at once:
- Red swollen, or tender gums.
- Gums that bleed when you brush your
teeth.
- Pus between the teeth and gums (noticeable
when the gums are pressed).
- Loose permanent teeth.
- A change in the way your teeth fit
together when you bite.
- A change in the fit of your partial
dentures.
- Bad breath.
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Of course, the only way to confirm a diagnosis
of periodontal disease is to have your mouth
thoroughly examined. During an examination
your gums are evaluated for bleeding, swelling,
firmness, and abnormal contours by your
dentist or periodontist. Your teeth are
also checked for movement and sensitivity,
as well as your bite (which could be a contributing
factor to the condition) is also assessed.
Full mouth x-rays less than a year old are
usually required to detect breakdown of
bone surrounding your teeth. Periodontal
probing below the gum line involves measuring
and recording the depth of the pockets around
each tooth, which you can't see or feel.
Probing is the key technique your periodontist
uses to find out how serious your disease
is and to plan your treatment.
Periodontal probing
A probe is like a tiny ruler. Your periodontist
inserts this tool gently in the spare, or
pocket, between your tooth and gum. The
deeper the probe goes, the deeper the pocket,
and the more severe the periodontal disease.
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