Maintaining excellent oral and dental health is vital for your smile aesthetics and overall well-being. However, gum disease remains a prevalent oral health problem affecting many people worldwide. While it is a preventable and treatable oral health problem, many people will not realize they have it until it progresses to advanced stages.
That is why your dentist encourages you to schedule routine dental checkups and exam appointments. Our credible dentists at The Encino Dentist believe that early detection is one of the most valuable tools you have to protect yourself and your loved ones from various oral health issues, including gum disease. Gum disease is a progressive oral health issue, meaning it does not develop overnight.
When we detect your gum disease early, we can offer appropriate treatment to reverse it and restore your oral health.
Gum Disease at a Glance
Gum disease, also commonly known as periodontal disease, usually begins when a sticky film of bacteria, “plaque,” sticks and builds up on the surface of your teeth and along your gumline. When you fail to remove this plaque through regular tooth brushing and flossing, it will harden and become tartar.
In addition to affecting the aesthetics of your smile, the tartar buildup on your teeth could worsen your gum disease. Since it is difficult to remove tartar with a toothbrush, consulting a dentist for professional cleaning would help prevent the progression of the issue.
When left unchecked, plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth’s surfaces and along the gumline can irritate and inflame your gums, leading to gingivitis (the early stage of gum disease). Even if you brush and floss your teeth twice daily as recommended, routine dental appointments can go a long way toward preventing gum disease.
Common Causes and Risk Factors in Gum Disease
While anyone can develop gum disease at some point in their life, certain people are at greater risk than others. Here are common causes and risk factors that put you at risk of developing periodontal disease:
- Hormonal changes — Hormonal changes, especially in women during pregnancy and menopause, could put you at risk of gum disease because these hormones make your gums sensitive
- Genetic predisposition — If your family has a history of gum disease, there is a chance that you could develop the condition
- Smoking and chewing tobacco-related products — In addition to affecting the aesthetic appearance of your smile, all tobacco-related products can increase your risk of developing gum disease because they increase the plaque levels in your teeth
- Diabetes — According to studies, diabetes can worsen your gum disease
- Poor oral hygiene — Failing to brush and floss your teeth at least twice daily allows the accumulation of plaque on your tooth surface and gumline, leading to gingivitis
- Certain medications that reduce saliva in your mouth — Saliva plays a crucial role in your mouth as it helps wash out bacteria and neutralize any acidity in your mouth. If you are under any medication that can cause dry mouth, you should consult with your dentist to recommend proactive remedies that prevent gum disease and other oral health issues
- Misaligned bite or crooked teeth — In addition to affecting the beauty of your smile, a misaligned bite could trap food particles, which can create an ideal environment for bad bacteria to thrive
- Poorly fitting dental restorations — You could be at risk of gum disease if you have poorly fitting dental restorations, including fillings or bridges. Loose-fitting dental restorations can trap food particles and make it challenging to effectively brush your teeth, putting you at risk of gum disease
It is worth noting that these are not the only causes and risk factors of developing a periodontal disease. Ensure you consult with your dentist to know whether you are at risk of developing this common oral health issue and what you can do to prevent it.
An Overview of Various Stages of Gum Disease
As mentioned in the previous sentence, gum disease is a progressive condition that grows severe over time, from mild inflammation (gingivitis) to severe damage when left untreated. Understanding various stages of gum disease and symptoms of its onset is vital for immediate treatment. Below are various stages of gum disease that your dentist can treat:
- Gingivitis
The earliest phase of gum disease is gingivitis, which is sometimes asymptomatic. Fortunately, it is the only stage of the infection that is easily reversible with improved oral hygiene and professional cleaning at your dentist’s clinic. Generally, gingivitis occurs when plaque builds up on the surfaces of your teeth and along the gumline.
At this stage, your gums are not yet damaged, but they will react to the plaque accumulation along the gumline. While it is often asymptomatic, you may experience the following symptoms if you have gingivitis:
- Mild gum inflammation
- Gums that bleed easily when you brush your teeth
- swollen, puffy, or red gums (healthy gums should be pink and firm)
- Persistent bad breath
Since this condition does not affect your jawbone, early detection and treatment can easily reverse the condition.
- Early Periodontitis
Without intervention, the gingivitis will progress to a mild stage known as early periodontitis. If your dentist diagnoses you with early or mild periodontitis, it means the bacterial infection has spread to the underlying bone and other structures that hold your teeth in position. In addition to inflammation, this condition causes the gums to pull away from the teeth.
When that happens, you will notice a periodontal pocket in between your teeth and gums, and some teeth that appear longer than others. When left untreated, plaque and bacteria can accumulate, leading to gum deterioration. In addition to the gum recession and teeth that appear longer than others, this condition could cause the following symptoms:
- Persistent bad breath (halitosis)
- Gum or teeth sensitivity when eating or drinking cold or hot beverages
- Red and bleeding gums
- Moderate Periodontitis
Moderate periodontitis is the third stage of periodontal disease and can significantly affect your oral health. As gum disease progresses, the periodontal pockets deepen, exposing the tooth roots and allowing more plaque to accumulate. During this phase, the bacteria will begin to eat away at your teeth’s structure and enter the pulp chamber of your tooth.
When this harmful bacteria compromises the pulp chamber, your dentist will have to perform root canal therapy on the affected tooth before treating the gum disease. If left untreated, the bacteria could enter your bloodstream, leading to other systemic health issues.
However, even at this stage, your dentist can recommend several treatments to prevent the progression of the issue and protect the surrounding healthy teeth.
- Advanced Periodontitis
The last and most severe phase of gum disease is advanced periodontitis. At this phase, the bacteria manage to destroy your underlying bone and other structures that hold your teeth firmly in your mouth, including the ligaments.
At this advanced stage, you will likely notice a large hole around the affected tooth, and it may become wiggly and loose. Other signs and symptoms of advanced periodontitis include the following:
- Halitosis
- Dental abscess
- Pain when you bite down
- Exposed tooth roots
- Noticeable changes in your bite
Diagnosis and Tests for Gum Disease
The first step to the precise treatment of your gum disease is proper diagnosis and treatment. Your dentist will tell you whether or not you have gum disease during your routine appointment. Precise diagnosis of gum disease requires your dentist to do the following:
Review Your Oral and Medical Records
Your dentist reviews your medical history to determine whether you have any condition that could have contributed to the gum disease, including diabetes. He/she will also want to know the medications you are on because certain types cause dry mouth and increase your risk of gum disease.
Perform an Oral Visual Examination
Your dentist will perform an oral examination to inspect your teeth and gums for any signs of plaque, recession, bleeding, irritation, or inflammation. An oral examination of your gums and teeth is important and can help detect gum disease in its early stages.
Probe Your Gums
Measuring the depth of your periodontal pocket is vital in determining the extent of your gum disease. To perform this procedure, the dentist will use a dental probe, which he/she will insert into the periodontal pocket beside your teeth, usually at different sites along your gumline. If you have healthy gums, this pocket depth should be between 1 and 3 millimeters (mm).
Therefore, if your pockets exceed these measurements, it could mean you have gum disease.
Take X-ray Images of Your Mouth
Another effective tool for diagnosing gum disease is dental X-rays. In addition to visual examination of your mouth and measuring the depth of your tooth, your dentist will take X-ray images to check for bone loss around your gumline, especially in areas with deep pockets.
If you notice any signs of gum disease, including bleeding gums and teeth that appear longer than others, you should consult with a dentist as soon as possible to know your options. After a thorough, precise diagnosis of your gum disease, your dentist will recommend appropriate treatment.
How to Prepare for Your Dentist Appointment After Detecting Signs of Gum Disease
Generally speaking, your dentist can help determine whether you have gum disease during your routine bi-annual appointments. However, if you notice any symptoms of this condition, you should consult with your dentist as soon as possible for further guidance and treatment.
While your initial appointment with your dentist for gum disease diagnosis and treatment does not require a lot of planning, preparing a list of the following would be a great place to start:
- Your symptoms — Keeping a journal of your symptoms is important after detecting a sign of any oral health issue, including gum disease. Your list of symptoms can help your dentist determine whether you have gum disease and its severity
- Your key personal information — Ensure you have all your medical records ready, including all prescribed and non-prescribed medications you are taking
- All questions you have about your oral health — Your initial appointment with your dentist is also your chance to ask him/her any questions you have about your oral and dental health. Ensure you keep a list of these questions to make the most out of your dental appointment
Preparing for your dental appointment after noticing signs and symptoms of gum disease can help you make the most out of your time with the dentist.
Treatment Options for Gum Disease
While gum disease is not completely curable, your dentist can recommend several treatments to manage it. Unless the condition is detected early, it is impossible to completely cure or reverse moderate or advanced gum disease because once the structural support around your tooth is lost, it is rarely restored.
However, your dentist can recommend various periodontal treatments to lessen the infection and repair your damaged bone and gum tissues to some degree. Genetics is another issue that makes it challenging to cure gum disease completely because some people are more prone to having the type that causes periodontal disease.
When you visit your dentist for periodontal treatment, he/she will consider several factors when determining your appropriate treatment, such as the following:
- Whether you smoke or chew tobacco products
- Your overall health
- Whether you had any treatments in the past
Nonetheless, the following treatments could work in your favor to manage your gum disease:
- Professional Dental Cleaning and Better Oral Hygiene
At the onset of your gum disease, your dentist will recommend professional dental cleaning and simple home-based remedies to help reverse the problem, including better oral hygiene habits. For example, the dentist will recommend brushing using a soft-bristle toothbrush for at least two minutes. Your dentist will guide you on the correct way to brush your teeth effectively without injuring your gums.
Other oral hygiene habits that can reverse gingivitis and keep harmful bacteria at bay include using an antibiotic mouthwash to rinse your mouth and flossing between your teeth at least twice daily. If the plaque has hardened into tartar, making it difficult to remove with a toothbrush, your dentist will perform a professional cleaning at their office.
Removing tartar and plaque buildup on the surfaces of your teeth and along the gumline can help reverse gingivitis.
- Scaling and Root Planing
For mild or advanced gum disease, your dentist will recommend scaling and root planing. Also known as deep cleaning, these procedures are vital to remove stubborn tartar buildup on the surface of your tooth and below the gumline. During this scaling, the dentist will use special dental equipment to clean (scale) the tartar buildup from the surface of your tooth.
On the other hand, root planing involves smoothening your root surfaces to make it more difficult for plaque and bacteria to reattach. Your dentist could require you to schedule at least two appointments to perform the procedure using local anesthesia.
- Pocket Reduction Surgery
Gum surgery may be necessary in some cases to treat gum disease. If you have moderate or advanced gum disease, your dentist may recommend pocket reduction surgery. Also known as “osseous surgery,” this procedure removes tartar beneath your gums that you cannot remove with regular brushing and that the dental hygienist cannot reach during routine cleaning.
During this procedure, the dentist or periodontist will make a minor incision in your gums to create a flap. Doing that allows the dentist to move your gums away from your teeth. Then, the dentist will clean out any tartar and bacteria around your tooth roots and smooth out any rough parts to prevent reinfection. After that, the dentist will stitch your gums back into their ideal position in your mouth.
Often, the dentist will combine this surgery with other tissue-regenerative procedures, such as:
- Bone grafting
- Guided tissue regeneration GTR
- Gum grafting
- LANAP (Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure)
In some cases, the dentist may recommend LANAP to reduce the depth of your periodontal pockets. This treatment involves using a handheld laser device to selectively target and remove your diseased gum tissue while preserving the healthy tissue. Here are the notable benefits of this advanced treatment for periodontal disease:
- It is a minimally invasive procedure and an excellent alternative to traditional gum surgery
- It can save your tooth, which could otherwise require removal due to severe periodontal disease
- It helps your dentist preserve your healthy gum tissue, promoting the growth of new tissue and reattachment of your gums to their ideal position in the mouth
- It helps reduce swelling, discomfort, and your recovery time after the treatment compared to other treatment options
Since not every dentist has modern dental equipment, you should ask your dentist during your initial appointment whether they can offer LANAP treatment.
- Tissue Regeneration
If you have advanced gum disease and the condition has caused severe damage to your gum tissue and the underlying bone structure, the dentist will likely recommend tissue regenerative procedures, such as
- Bone grafting — During this procedure, the dentist will use dental bone grafting to reverse the bone loss caused by the infection. Bone graft materials act as a spaceholder or scaffolding to allow your body to regenerate new bone over time
- Gum grafting — If the disease has led to severe loss of your gum tissue, gum grafting could be a helpful procedure. During this treatment, your dentist will treat areas of your gums with severe recession to cover exposed tooth roots and increase the thickness of your gumline
- Guided tissue regeneration — In many cases, the dentist will combine this treatment with bone grafts to repair your periodontal defects. During this treatment, the dentist will place an artificial membrane between the newly grafted bone and your gums to prevent the soft tissues of your mouth from growing into these areas
- Crown Lengthening
The purpose of this treatment is to lengthen and show more of your dental crown, and to do that, your dentist will adjust your gum tissue. In addition to helping manage gum disease, it makes it easier to clean your teeth and improves the aesthetic appearance of your smile.
After the procedure, your gums may feel sore, swollen, or tender, but antibiotics and painkillers can help manage these possible side effects.
- A Dental Implant
Advanced gum disease can weaken the roots of your tooth, necessitating an extraction to prevent the infection from progressing. If that happens to you, your dentist can recommend a dental implant to replace your lost tooth and restore the aesthetics of your smile. A dental implant is an artificial metal post that your dentist places in your jawbone to act as a tooth root for a dental crown (artificial tooth).
Your dentist could recommend various types of dental crowns depending on your preferences and budget, such as:
- Composite resin crown
- Gold crown
- Porcelain crowns
The entire dental implant and crown placement process could take several months. Much of that time, you will be healing and waiting for a new bone to grow and fuse with the implant, providing proper anchorage for your artificial tooth. However, the results are undoubtedly worth the wait.
Tips on How to Prevent Gum Disease
While gum disease is a common oral health issue that affects many people nationwide, you can prevent it. Here are tips that can help lessen your chances of developing this condition:
- Floss and brush your teeth daily using an electric toothbrush to remove plaque on your teeth
- Limit your intake of sugary foods and beverages
- Opt for anti-gingivitis toothpaste
- Rinse your mouth regularly using an antibiotic mouthwash
- Schedule regular appointments with your dentist for checkups and oral examinations
Find a Reputable Periodontist Near Me
As mentioned in the previous paragraph, early intervention is key to completely reversing gum disease before the harmful bacteria damage your gums and other structures that anchor your teeth in place. Ensure you consult a dentist as soon as possible if you notice any signs of gingivitis in your or your child’s gums, including persistent bad breath.
At Encino Dentist, we understand the dangers of gum disease to your oral health, especially when left untreated. We invite you to call us at 818-650-0429 to schedule your first cost-free appointment with one of our reputable periodontists.