Periodontal disease affects the gums and bone supporting your teeth, starting with plaque that can harden into tartar if not removed. This leads to gum damage and can cause red, swollen, or bleeding gums.
Often painless in its early stages, periodontal disease is the top cause of tooth loss and may be linked to serious conditions like stroke, diabetes, and heart disease. Keep reading to learn more about it.
Women, older adults, and smokers are at higher risk. To gauge your risk, consider these questions:
Do your gums bleed while brushing or flossing?
Are you experiencing pain, redness, or swelling of the gums with no apparent reason?
Are your teeth loose or wobbly?
Do your teeth appear longer due to gum recession?
Are you experiencing bad breath or halitosis?
Have you noticed the loosening or shifting of teeth?
Is there pus oozing from between the teeth?
Do you have health conditions like heart disease or diabetes?
Does periodontal disease run in your family?
Have you had previous gum problems?
Periodontal disease is diagnosed during your regular dental check-up through a periodontal exam. Your dentist or hygienist uses a small probe to measure the depth of pockets between your teeth and gums. Healthy pockets are less than 3 millimeters deep and do not bleed.
There are three stages of periodontal disease:
Gingivitis: Early stage with inflamed, bleeding gums due to plaque irritation.
Periodontitis: Plaque hardens into tartar, leading to deeper pockets, gum recession, and possible bone loss.
Advanced Periodontitis: Severe gum and bone destruction, causing loose teeth and significant bone loss.
Regular exams are essential for early detection and effective treatment.
Treatment for periodontal disease depends on its type and severity. In the early stages of gingivitis, regular cleanings and improved oral hygiene can restore gum health. For more advanced stages, scaling and root planing—a deep cleaning procedure—removes tartar and smooths tooth roots to help gums heal. Medications and special mouth rinses may also be suggested.
If pockets don’t improve, periodontal surgery might be necessary to reduce pocket depths and make cleaning easier. You may also be referred to a periodontist for specialized care.
Plaque turns into tartar within 24 hours if not removed. Daily brushing helps, but hard-to-reach areas need extra attention. Regular cleanings are essential.
Regular dental care and maintaining good oral hygiene are essential for preventing and managing gum disease. Causes of periodontal disease include:
Poor Dental Hygiene: Inadequate brushing and flossing, along with infrequent dental visits, can lead to plaque buildup and gum disease.
Tobacco Use: Smoking slows healing and increases tartar, gum pockets, and bone loss.
Genetics: About 30% of people are genetically predisposed to gum disease, making early intervention crucial.
Hormonal Changes: Pregnancy and menopause can make gums more sensitive and prone to disease.
Stress and Diet: Chronic stress and poor nutrition weaken immune defences, worsening gum health.
Diabetes and Medical Conditions: Diabetes and other health issues can accelerate gum disease progression.
Teeth Grinding: Grinding can damage gum tissue and speed up disease.
Medications: Some drugs, like steroids, can exacerbate gum issues and increase disease risk.
Periodontal disease comes in various forms, each needing prompt treatment to preserve gum tissue and bone. Here’s a quick overview of the common types and their treatments:
Gingivitis: The mildest form, caused by plaque toxins, leading to gum inflammation. Treatment includes thorough cleaning, root planing, and possibly antibiotics to clear bacteria.
Chronic Periodontal Disease: Common in those over 45, this type causes gum and bone tissue loss, making teeth appear longer. Treatment focuses on stopping progression with scaling, root planing, and possibly surgery or grafts.
Aggressive Periodontal Disease: Characterized by rapid gum and bone loss, often seen in smokers or those with a family history. Treatment involves intensive cleaning, antibiotics, and possibly surgical or laser procedures.
Systemic-Related Periodontal Disease: Linked to conditions like heart disease or diabetes, this type can progress quickly. Managing the underlying condition is crucial, along with standard periodontal treatments.
Necrotizing Periodontal Disease: Severe and rare, often linked to HIV or severe malnutrition. Treatment requires a combination of antibiotics, medicated mouthwash, and coordination with a physician.
Research links periodontal disease with chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, pregnancy complications, and respiratory issues. Here’s how:
Diabetes: Gum disease can worsen blood sugar control, increasing diabetic complications. Elevated blood sugar levels from diabetes feed bacteria, worsening gum infections and complicating blood sugar control. Additionally, diabetes thickens blood vessels, impairing nutrient delivery and waste removal, which weakens gum tissue and increases the risk of infection.
Heart Disease and Stroke: Gum disease nearly doubles the risk of heart disease and may also contribute to stroke. This is because bacteria may enter the bloodstream and contribute to clot formation, or inflammation from gum disease raising levels of C-reactive proteins associated with heart disease.
Pregnancy Complications: Pregnancy hormones increase susceptibility to gingivitis and periodontal disease, which are linked to preeclampsia, low birth weight, and premature birth. Elevated prostaglandin levels and C-reactive proteins, as well as bacteria spreading through the bloodstream, can further complicate pregnancy.
Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis weakens bones, including those supporting the teeth, and estrogen deficiency speeds up bone loss. Studies, like one from the University of New York at Buffalo, show that women with osteoporosis are 86% more likely to develop periodontal disease.
Respiratory Disease: Bacteria from periodontal disease can enter the respiratory tract, worsening or causing respiratory diseases like COPD, pneumonia, bronchitis, and emphysema. Factors like smoking and low immunity exacerbate this connection.