What Is Periodontal(Gum) Disease?
The word "periodontal" literally means "around the tooth". Periodontal disease (also known as "gum disease", "pyorrhea" or "periodontal infection") is an ongoing bacterial infection in the gums and bone around your teeth. This infection leads to inflammation under the gums, and if not treated, this inflammation can destroy the bone around your teeth. This results in tooth loss. 75% of all adult tooth loss is due to periodontal infection.
More importantly, research has associated periodontal infection with several serious medical problems, including heart disease, diabetes and stroke (see the "The Consequences of Periodontal Disease" section). As ongoing research continues to define how periodontal disease is associated with these and other health problems, oral health maintenance is essential. Periodontal health is a key component to a healthy body.
If you have periodontal disease, you’re certainly not alone. In fact, more than half of American adults age 30 and older have some form of periodontal disease. Some patients who require simple periodontal treatment can be managed by a general dentist. However, in light of extensive research suggesting that periodontal disease can be linked to stroke, heart disease, diabetes and other chronic diseases, more challenging periodontal treatment may require a higher level of expertise than only a trained specialist in periodontology can provide.
Here are some possible reasons your general dentist might refer you to a periodontist for more advanced periodontal treatment:
You have a moderate or severe level of periodontal disease, with such symptoms as:
- Bleeding, swollen, or receding gums
- Loose teeth
- A change in your bite (how your upper and lower teeth come into contact with each other)
- Pain or discomfort within, around or underneath your gums.
You have a personal or family history of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease, osteoporosis, or cancer.
You’re a smoker, which increases your risk of acquiring advanced disease.
What is an "Ongoing Infection"?
Have you ever gotten a sliver of wood caught under the skin of your hand? Because the wound is open to bacteria, the site may become infected and appear red and inflamed. With removal of the sliver, your immune system fights off the bacteria and your hand heals.
During an ongoing infection, however, your immune system is unable to conquer the bacteria on its own. The inflammation and redness continue to worsen.
Periodontal disease is a chronic or ongoing infection in the pockets around your teeth. You cannot fight off the infection alone, but with periodontal therapy, we are able to remove soft and hard bacterial deposits from the site, allowing the gum to heal as your hand had.
What Can Cause a "Burst" of Disease Activity?
People with periodontal disease have low resistance to periodontal bacteria. This causes an ongoing gum infection that grows in "bursts" of activity. Each time it grows, more support for your teeth is lost. Some factors that can cause a "burst" of activity are:
- Inadequate oral hygiene
- Dental plaque and calculus or "tartar"
- Smoking
- Genetic factors
- Stress or tension
- Diabetes
- Pregnancy
- Certain medical conditions and medications
Getting Periodontal Infection Treated Right Away
When your infection has had a burst of activity, or when there are signs that this is about to occur, your general dentist may recommend you see a periodontist.
Symptoms of Periodontal Infection
Periodontal infection is usually painless unless it reaches an acute stage. However, there are some symptoms which can indicate the presence of periodontal infection.
These include:
- Red or swollen gums
- Bleeding when brushing (pink toothbrush), or at other times
- Aching, itchy, sore or tender gums
- Receding gums (teeth beginning to look longer)
- Pus between your teeth and gums when you press down on the gums
- Bad breath
- Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
- Any change in the fit of partial dentures
- Loose, separating or protruding teeth
- Spaces between teeth
If you notice any of the above warning signs of periodontal infection, please contact your general dentist and ask for a periodontal evaluation.
Important Note: Your gums can look and feel quite normal and yet deep pockets of periodontal infection can still be present. To be certain about any periodontal disease, a detailed probing examination is usually necessary.