Periodontopathy And Gingivitis Are Two Gum Illnesses.
Gum conditions are an example of bacterial infections in the bone and soft tissues that support and surround the teeth. They are also called periodontal diseases .Gingivitis is a disease that only affects the gums (the tissue that surrounds the teeth). Gum diseases are progressive and extend below the line of gum insertion, affecting the supporting tissues of the teeth and bone, causing periodontopathy. Red, irritated gums that bleed easily when brushed are a sign of gingivitis. Because gingivitis usually does not cause pain, most people do not seek treatment.
Periodontal disease occurs when gum disease progresses. Deep crevices created when the gum separates from the teeth allow germs to thrive and destroy the bone that supports the teeth. The gums recede leading to the appearance of long teeth. Teeth become mobile, may fall out or need to be extracted.
CAUSE: Factors Contributing to Gum Disorders
The proliferation of germs on the gums and teeth leads to gum disorders. They are present in plaque (a clear, sticky substance produced in the oral cavity ). If not removed in time, this plaque turns into an adherent deposit on the teeth.Toxins and other compounds are produced by the bacteria in the plaque when they feed on the sugar in meals and beverages.
Toxins irritate the gums, causing them to become inflamed and bleed.
Tartar, a mineral deposit that forms from plaque, irritates the gums and causes them to separate from the teeth.
While bacteria are the direct cause of gum disease, a number of other factors affect gum health. The risk of developing gum disease increases in the following cases:
– smokers or people who chew tobacco
– family history of periodontal diseases (other family members have similar diseases, there is a genetic component)
– women who go through hormonal changes during puberty , menopause or pregnancy
– certain medicines, such as contraceptives , antidepressants or medicines for heart diseases
– diseases that weaken the immune system, making it unable to fight the infection ( diabetes , AIDS , leukemia , high stress level, diet poor in nutrients).
Risk Factors
It is possible for a person to develop gum disease if they do not brush their teeth regularly or use dental floss or do all these but ineffectively, the plaque remaining on the teeth.
The risk increases in the following cases:
– people who smoke or chew tobacco – Tobacco is considered one of the biggest risk factors, it decreases the ability to fight infections, interfering with healing, making possible the appearance of serious gum problems after extractions.
– genetic factors – If there is a family history of gum disease, there is a higher than normal possibility of it appearing in other family members, even if they have very good oral hygiene.
– women going through hormonal changes (menopause, puberty, pregnancy)
– illnesses including diabetes, AIDS, and leukaemia that compromise the immune system.
– significant stress – stress weakens the immune system and increases the risk of infections.
– a diet low in vitamins and minerals, which weakens the immune system, or eating foods rich in sugar and other carbohydrates (cereals, pasta, bread) that help dental plaque grow.
– certain treatments: Phenytoin (anticonvulsant), calcium channel blockers (to control high blood pressure), Ciclosporin (immunosuppressive drug used to prevent the body from rejecting a transplant), contraceptives , chemotherapy(in cancer treatment).
symptom
The initial symptoms are represented by:
– red, inflamed, sensitive gums
– Gums that bleed readily while using a toothbrush or floss
Due to the fact that gingivitis is not painful, the symptoms may go unnoticed and the patient does not request treatment. Untreated, this disease progresses. Arriving at periodontopathy, the symptoms become noticeable:
– gums detached from the teeth and withdrawn
– bad-smelling , persistent breath
– pus at the level of the gums
– a change in the relationship between the teeth during mastication
– mobile teeth .
Risk Factors
It is possible for a person to develop gum disease if they do not brush their teeth regularly or use dental floss or do all these but ineffectively, the plaque remaining on the teeth.
The risk increases in the following cases:
– people who smoke or chew tobacco – Tobacco is considered one of the biggest risk factors, it decreases the ability to fight infections, interfering with healing, making possible the appearance of serious gum problems after extractions.
– genetic factors
– If there is a family history of gum disease, there is a higher than normal possibility of it appearing in other family members, even if they have very good oral hygiene.
– women going through hormonal changes (menopause, puberty, pregnancy)
– illnesses including diabetes, AIDS, and leukaemia that compromise the immune system.
– significant stress – Stress weakens the immune system and increases the risk of infections.
– a diet low in vitamins and minerals, which weakens the immune system, or eating foods rich in sugar and other carbohydrates (cereals, pasta, bread) that help dental plaque grow.
– certain treatments: Phenytoin (anticonvulsant), calcium channel blockers (to control high blood pressure), Ciclosporin (immunosuppressive drug used to prevent the body from rejecting a transplant), contraceptives, chemotherapy (in the treatment of cancer).
Pathophysiological Mechanism
Gingivitis occurs when bacteria persist on the teeth and gums, forming dental plaque.The irritation caused by plaque and the resulting acids causes the gums to swell and turn red.Plaque can turn into tartar (a mineralized deposit) that irritates the gums and can be removed by the dentist.Untreated gingivitis can turn into periodontitis, the gums receding from the teeth, exposing the root. Deep spaces are created in which plaque forms, affecting both the gum and the bone where the teeth are implanted.
The teeth become mobile and can fall out or need to be pulled as a result of the bone damage.If a woman has gum disease while she is pregnant, there is a possibility that she will give birth prematurely or have a child with a low birth weight.A recent study on an aged population revealed a clear connection between gum disease-causing bacteria and heart disease. It is unclear how these disorders are related to one another.
Professional Advice
Specialist medical consultation is recommended in the event of the following symptoms or signs:
– mobile teeth or teeth that have migrated, causing spaces between them
– pus at the level of the gums
– detached or receding gums from the teeth
– persistent foul breath even after brushing
– gums red, inflamed, sensitive
– gums that bleed easily when brushed.
Recommended specialist doctors
The dentist must be consulted , who evaluates the health of the gums.
If the disease is severe, the dentist can recommend a consultation with one of the following:
– doctor specialized in periodontal diseases
– oral-maxillo-facial surgeon specialized in oral cavity surgery.
Watchful Expectation
The visit to the dentist must done twice a year, especially if there is a history of gum disease. If a doctor has not been consulted for more than 6 months, an appointment must made immediately. A dental specialist can eliminate plaque and tartar that has collected on teeth near the gum line. Regular checks and professional cleaning can lead to the reversibility of the process and the prevention of future gum problems.
When there is a problem with the gums, the doctor must consulted, otherwise it can get worse.
Diagnostic Investigations for Gum Disease: Assessing Gum and Teeth Health
The dentist examines the gums and teeth during regular visits. With the help of the mirror and the probe, the dentist checks:
– bleeding gums – The more places that bleed, the more severe the disease.
– supra- and sub-gingival tartar
– areas with receding gums and pockets formed between the teeth and gums – The probe used to measure the depth of these pockets.
Between the teeth, the doctor can insert strips of paper to measure the amount of fluid produced by the inflammation.X-rays can taken to observe the condition of the bone and other possible problems.
Diagnostic
The greatest approach to spot gum disorders before they seriously harm your mouth is to visit the dentist frequently. The dentist sets future appointments, depending on the risk of gum disease.
Treatment
Early treatment is very important. Its goals are the prevention of tissue destruction, infection control, prevention of teeth mobilization.
The following things must done for the treatment to be successful:
- to keep the teeth clean by brushing and using dental floss
– regular checks and professional cleaning
– avoiding smoking – tobacco considered one of the biggest risk factors, it decreases the ability to fight against infections, interfering with healing, making possible the appearance of serious gum problems after extractions.
Initial Treatment for Gum Disease: Recommendations and Professional Care
At this point the process can be reversible. It recommended:
– brushing in the morning, after meals and snacks, before going to bed
– using dental floss every day, at least once
– using mouthwash that is antiseptic or anti-plaque
The dentist will set appointments for check-ups and cleanings. Plaque and tartar that cannot removed with a toothbrush and dental floss removed by professional brushing and descaling. Once a person has had problems with the gums, that person must visit the doctor every 3-4 months.To treat the illness, doctors could give antibiotics. It applied directly to the gums, swallowed or washed, being in the form of mouthwash. An antibacterial toothpaste is also recommended, which, used regularly, reduces plaque and gingivitis.
Treatment Of More Serious Gum Diseases
Especially untreated or unresponsive gingivitis turns into periodontitis. This requires prompt treatment to remove the infection and stop the destruction of the teeth and gums. Long-term care follows, thus maintaining the health of the oral cavity.Supra- and sub-gingival plaque and tartar removed. This procedure, called root planing, makes it difficult to attach the plate to the tooth.The dentist can recommend antibiotics to stop the infection. It applied directly to the gums, swallowed or washed as mouthwash.Surgical treatment may be necessary if the infection could not kept under control or there is massive destruction of the gums and teeth. Surgery entails:
– gingivectomy – The detachment gingival tissue taken out and remodelled, eliminating the plaque-accumulating spaces between the teeth and gums.
– a procedure that cleans the roots of the teeth and repairs the destroyed bone tissue
– the extraction (removal) of mobile or destroyed teeth
After surgery, it may be necessary to take antibiotics or other drugs that help healing and prevent infection.
After the treatment, it is mandatory to maintain the health of the mouth by preventing the appearance of plaque. Brushing must done carefully after meals and snacks, and the use of dental floss is daily. The dentist can prescribe antibacterial mouthwash and establish a control program every 3-4 months for cleaning and to ensure that the disease has not recurred.
To Remember!
Effective Treatment Approaches for Severe Gum Disease
Antibiotics, as the only method of treatment, cannot cure severe gum disease. In some cases, root planing combined with antibiotics is sufficient to stop gum disease, but sometimes surgery may be necessary.
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