Periodontal Disease

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums. It is a milder and reversible form of periodontal disease that only affects the gums. It develops as toxins in plaque irritate gums, making them red, tender, swollen, and likely to bleed easily. It can usually be eliminated by daily brushing, cleaning between the teeth, and regular dental cleanings.

Periodontal Disease

Gingivitis may lead to a more serious, destructive form of periodontal disease called periodontitis. Periodontal disease is an infection of the tissues that support your teeth. It is the major cause of tooth loss in adults. Because early periodontal disease is painless and shows few symptoms, patients are often unaware that there is a problem. For this reason, regular dental visits are essential for the early diagnosis and treatment of gum disease.

What causes periodontal disease? The sticky film that constantly forms on your teeth is call plaque, and is made mostly of bacteria. Some of these bacteria produce byproducts (called toxins or enzymes) that can irritate the tissues that support your teeth. These byproducts can damage the attachment of the gums, periodontal ligaments, and bone to your teeth.

You can remove plaque with good oral hygiene care-brushing your teeth twice a day and cleaning between them once a day with floss or another interdental cleaner. When plaque is not removed through good oral hygiene, it builds up along the gum line and increases your risk of developing periodontal disease.

Plaque that is not removed regularly can harden into a rough porous deposit called calculus or tartar. The only way tartar can be removed is when your teeth are professionally cleaned in the dental office. A routine professional cleaning is really important for good oral health as well as good oral hygiene care.

How is periodontal disease treated? It depends on the type of disease and how far the condition has progressed. Usually, a thorough cleaning that includes scaling and root planning is required. This will require more than one appointment. Usually, the cleanings are broken down into quadrants. The stage of the disease will determine how many quadrants will be cleaned at each appointment. There are four stages of periodontal disease; gingivitis, beginning, moderate, and severe periodontitis. Your comfort is our priority. Local anesthesia may be used to make this treatment more comfortable.

Diagrams below show the four different stages of Periodontal Disease.

Perio 1	Perio 2
Perio 3	Perio 4