subject: Gum Disease The Silent Intruder [print this page] The scientific term for gum disease is Gingivitis or Periodontitis, which illustrates the disease of the periodontal structure, whichis composed ofthe soft tissue, gum, and bone that support teeth. Gum disease is known to be a common disease among many, where inaction at the early stage leads to tooth loss.
It is said that nearly everyone will develop a mild form of gingivitis especially after puberty.The important step is to practice good oral hygiene and not allow the presence of bacteria to build up. When bacteria build up in the mouth it causes a thin sticky layer to form on the base of teeth, which is known as plaque. When not removed, plaque will harden into a substance called tartar. Thisneeds to be removedprofessionally and hence periodic visits to the dentist will prevent tartar from building up. Home based brushing and flossing can control the buildup of plaquehowever, periodic visits to the dentist for check-ups and professional cleanings are important to maintain oral health and keep gum disease at bay.
Gum disease begins when the bacteria in plaque causes inflammation of the gum at the base of the teeth. Visible symptoms of gingivitis are swollen, red gums that bleed easily when brushing and flossing, constant bad breath, receding gum line, and pain when chewing. At theinitial stage, improved oral hygiene practices at home, professional cleaning by a dental hygienist and the use of prescription mouthwash can help reversegingivitis. However if left untreatedat this early stage, the level of gum infection can increase and lead to periodontitis.Thiscauses the soft tissue and bone to weaken and pockets to form in the gums at the base of the teeth, which can leadultimately to tooth loss. The excessive concentration of bacteria causes the bone and soft tissue to deteriorate which loosensthe teeth.
The primary step in treating gum disease is to preventthe infection from increasing. While the preliminary action would be for the patient to adopt good oral hygiene practice, other steps, such as lifestyle changes and regular dental cleanings might be recommended on a case-by-case basis. If the infection has reached a severe stage, the dentist might apply a deep cleaning method termed "scaling and root planing. Scaling includes removing the tartar from the teeth and planingincludes the removal of bacteria gathering spots onthe teeth"s roots.
Depending on the toughness of tartar and plaque, the dentist might also use a laser. Once controlled and cured, it is imperative that the patient adopts regular oral hygiene practices including periodic visits to the dentist.
