Eighty percent of American adults have some form of periodontal (gum) disease! The beginning symptoms are usually painless, so many who are at risk do not recognize the signs and stages until tooth loss is inevitable.
Healthy gums appear coral pink, firm and form a sharp point where they meet the area of the tooth.
Gingivitis, by comparison, is characterized by red and inflamed or tender gums, as well as bleeding gums and halitosis (chronic bad breath). Bad breath is caused by the build up of plaque (sticky bacteria and food debris) in the spaces between the teeth and gums. Plaque build up can also develop and harden into tartar (calculus), which irritates the gum area next to the tooth. Toxins (bacterial by-products) in the tartar cause gums to become infected, red and tender. If the tartar is not removed by a professional cleaning to halt the spread of gingivitis, the infection will spread from the gums to the ligaments and bone supporting the teeth resulting in periodontal disease (periodontitis).
Periodontitis affects the tissues, ligaments and supporting jaw bone. All three of these may be destroyed causing infection, loose teeth, gum recession, increased spaces between teeth, or even gum abscesses. In addition, periodontitis has been linked to heart disease, infected joint replacements, and even stillborn births.
Dentists and hygienists treat gingivitis by cleaning teeth to remove plaque and calculus, prescribing special mouthwashes or topical treatments. Treatment for periodontitis involves more serious action such as using antibiotics, deep scaling of the root surface, removing infected gum tissue, using laser treatments or extracting teeth.
To avoid these potentially painful symptoms and treatments, it is important to catch the disease in its earlier stages. Please contact Dr. Christopher Carroll at River Street Dental 715-635-8282 or www.RiverStreetDental.net for an evaluation of your gums and to screen for gum disease.
Last Update: Jul 28, 2017 8:00 am CDT
