Periodontal Disease

In checking the condition of a persons gums, one of the first things the dentist will do is check the depth of the space pocket between the tooth and gum. This is called the gingival sulcus. A depth of 2 – 3mm usually indicates healthy gums, but deeper pockets could signal the presence of a more serious gum disease, usually periodontitis.

It is now known that periodontitis affects not only the oral cavity, but increases the risk of more serious medical conditions, such as—

a). Complications leading to Stroke and Heart Disease. The greater the degree of severity, of the gum disease, so the higher the chances of suffering from either a heart attack, or a stroke.

Tags: Dentist, Gingival Sulcus, Gums, Periodontitis

The attachment between teeth and gums is not a rigid one. The teeth are supported by gums (gingiva) and the tooth’s root is fixed in the gum socket by periodontal ligaments.

Between the gums and the teeth there is a V- shaped gap known as the sulcus, it is this gap which is affected by periodontal disease, which causes the tooth supporting tissue to breakdown.

If the gum tissue is affected only, the condition is referred to as gingivitis, if the gum connecting tissue and supporting bones of the teeth are damaged then the condition is known as periodontitis.

Tags: Gingiva, Periodontal Ligament, Symptoms, Teeth

Dental care today is no longer just a matter of filling tooth cavities or extracting decayed teeth. Oral health is now known to be important to the general health and well being of a person.

There is an established relationship between gum and teeth bone disease like periodontitis, and other systematic conditions such as heart disease.

Much is known today about oral hygiene, and the importance of teeth brushing, not only regularly, but in a proper fashion so as to ensure the prevention of gum disorders.

Gingivitis, which affects the gums can creep up relatively unnoticed and will call for a visit to the dentist. The dentist will recommend that the person needs his/her teeth to be cleaned. Cleaning the teeth has a different meaning to the dentist as to the understanding of teeth ‘cleaning’ by the patient who thinks ‘cleaning’ is simply brushing the teeth!

Tags: Dental Care, Disease, Gum. Teeth, Oral Health, Periodontitis

In cases of advanced periodontitis, if the disease has not responded to antibiotic, or  periodontal pocket cleaning techniques, then oral surgery may be required.

One such surgical technique is known as gum flap surgery, this treatment method cleans the root of the tooth, and repairs any bone damage resulting from the periodontal condition.

Flap Surgery.

This minor surgery is usually carried out by a periodontist. The patient will be given a local anesthetic to the area to be worked upon. Then the surgeon will make a small incision into the gums and pull back a flap of the gum, so exposing the roots of the teeth.

Tags: flap surgery, Periodontal Gum Disease, periodontal surgery

Any sign of gum tenderness, swelling or redness can be an indication of gingivitis. Since in its early stages little pain is caused very often the condition can go unnoticed. But if neglected and left untreated gingivitis can soon develop into periodontitis, which can lead to loss of teeth.

There are a variety of causes of this kind of gum disorder, some of which are listed below.

Gingivitis Caused by Plaque.

Without regular attention being paid to personal oral hygiene such as brushing and flossing the teeth, then plaque build up can occur. This bacterial substance accumulates on the gum line and soon hardens into tartar, which is very difficult to remove even by vigorous brushing.

Tags: Gingivitis, Gum, Periodontitis, Redness, Swelling

If you experience tenderness and slight soreness of your gums, and you notice a little redness or swelling of the gums, then it could indicate that you are suffering from a gum disorder known as gingivitis, and the possible onset of the far more serious periodontitis. The first action you should take is to visit a local dentist for diagnosis and treatment.

Diagnosis of Gum Disorder.

-          The dentist or oral hygienist will ask questions about your medical history and social habits like smoking for example, to ascertain if there may be any other factors contributing to the condition.

-          A complete oral examination will be carried out including the teeth and gums for signs of inflammation or infection and the degree of plaque and tartar build up.

Tags: Diagnosis, Gingivitis, Gums, Periodontitis, Soreness

The oral health of a dog is usually assessed in grades. Each grade depends upon the health of the gums (gingiva), the amount of plaque and tartar build up, the depths of the periodontal pockets, and the result of x-ray examination.

Diagnosis Grading for Canine Periodontal Disease.

Grade 1 Early Gingivitis. Only a mild amount of plaque present, minor redness of the gums, and the condition is easily treated.

Grade 2 Advanced Gingivitis. Some evidence of plaque below the gum line,redness and fluid in the gum tissue. The condition is still treatable.

Grade 3 Early Periodontitis. Tartar build up beneath the gum line, fluid and redness in the gum tissue along with evidence of gum bleeding when gently touched. X-ray indicates about 20% loss of tooth bone support. The disease condition is not reversible.

Tags: Diagnosis, Dog, Grade, Gums, Oral Health, Plaque, Tartar

There are a variety of procedures used by periodentists who are involved in the diagnosis and treatment of such gum disease.

Periodentists are dentists who specialize in periodontal disease, they have received an additional 3 years training in this field above the normal training for dentistry, usually periodentists are familiar with the latest techniques and medicines available for dealing with gum disorders.

Here are a few of the procedures which periodentists follow and are involved in—

Non Surgical Treatment of Periodontits.

Periodontal disease is best treated in a non intrusive manner and with cost effectiveness in mind. This non surgical approach can be achieved by the use of scaling and root planing procedures which remove plaque and tartar from the periodontal pockets, assisted by local, sometimes slow release antibiotics, inserted into the pocket.

Tags: Gum Disease, Periodentist, Periodontitis, Procedures

Prevention is always far better than suffering from any disease, and the ensuing troubles of diagnostic routines and treatment. The gum disease of periodontitis is easily preventable by following a strict regime of good oral hygiene.

This means looking after the mouth by regular brushing and flossing the teeth, at least two times each day, more advisably following every meal or snack.

This practice should take about 5 minutes, and it is better to floss between the teeth to loosen the food particles from between them first, followed by brushing. Then finishing off the process with a thorough mouth rinsing to remove all debris and bacteria. The use of  fluoride toothpaste is recommended.

Some Hints for a Healthy Mouth.

Tags: Oral Hygiene, Periodontitis, Prevention. Gum Disease

During the treatment for periodontal gum disease, the occasion often arises when unhealthy gum tissue has to be replaced. Healthy tissue is obtained from another source, maybe from the palate of the patients mouth or from a tissue donor and is grafted to the gum (gingival).

There are two types of gum tissue.

a). Keratinizing gingival tissue which is thick tissue surrounding the neck of the tooth, and it is the erosion of this tissue caused primarily by periodontitis, which leads to gum recession.

b). Mucosa tissue, which is far more elastic, and lines the lower mouth regions and the cheeks.

The object of the grafting procedure is to replace the keratinizing tissue with soft tissue and minimize the degree of gum recession.

Tags: Gum Disease, Healthy, Periodontal, Unhealthy