Gum is the protective sheath for teeth. Healthy gums guards the teeth against infections. If Gums are not brushed and cleaned well it becomes loose and opens the pathway for micro organisms . Disease of the Gum is called periodontal Disease. Now, gum treatments are done with Lasers without pain and discomfort.
PERIODONTAL DISEASE (GUM DISEASE)
"Perio" means around and "Dental" means tooth. Periodontal disease is an infection that gradually destroys the tissue surrounding your teeth and the jaw bone that supports them. This, if left untreated, often progresses to Periodontitis and eventual tooth loss.
COMMON CAUSES OF GUM DISEASE
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Poor oral hygiene: The route cause of gum disease is plaque
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Diet: Nutritional deficiencies (e.g. Vit C deficiency), excessive alcohol consumption
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Habits: Smoking, pan chewing, tobacco chewing, excessive use of tooth picks
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Dental causes: Large unattended cavities, irregular teeth, ill fitting dentures, ongoing braces treatment
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Medical causes: Diabetes, pregnancy, use of oral contraceptives, steroids, etc.
GUM DISEASES COMES IN STAGES
Stage 1: Gingivitis
Poor brushing and flossing habits allow dental plaque to build up on teeth. Plaque contain germs which cause gum disease. Early signs of gingivitis may include some swelling, bleeding, tenderness or bad breadth. At this point, gums may be loose, but are still attached high on the teeth. This inflammation of the gums is called gingivitis and is the first stage of gum disease.
Stage 2: Periodontitis
When gingivitis is left untreated, plaque is allowed to accumulate and it begins to calcify (harden) and forms calculus or tartar. This calculus slowly begins to breakdown the gum and bone support of the teeth, leading to pocket formation and bone destruction. As the disease progresses, more bone get destroyed, the teeth loosen and eventually fall out or may need to be extracted. Periodontitis is a silent disease, where the bacterial infection of the gums and the supporting tissues usually occur without pain.
Stage 3: Advanced Periodontitis
You may experience receding gums with exposed roots, darker calculus, pus discharge if you press on your gums, and some symptoms from stages 1 and 2.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Gingivitis and Periodontitis can be diagnosed most of the time only by regular dental check-ups.Treatment varies according to the stage of the disease.
- Scaling and Prophylaxis
This is done for early gingivitis. Scaling should be done every six months to maintain good oral hygiene.
Proper Brushing twice a day with flossing and regular use of Mouthwashes drastically improve the gum health.
- Curettage
This is done for early periodontitis to clean the deeper portion of the gums. There are lot of medications available now to be kept inside the gums after deep cleaning and thereby reducing the Periodontal Pocket and improve attachment of the gums.
- Flap surgery
This is performed under local anesthesia by elevating the gums from the tooth, cleaning the entire surface inside & suturing the gums back in position. This really improves the health of the gums. If necessary bone grafts are also kept in the lost bone region.
- Laser Gum Surgery
Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP) is a new therapy that allows for the effective treatment of Periodontal disease with no removal of tissue. LANAP is gentle, conservative, non-invasive method of treating gum disease without cutting, suturing or removing tissue.
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