Symptoms and Treatment of Gum Disease

Tooth loss isn’t something anyone wants to experience at any time. Yet millions of people end up developing a very common disease that can cause progressive bone loss around the teeth, leading to tooth loss. This disease is gum disease, and it affects nearly 50 per cent of people over the age of 30 in the United States each year.

There are two basic types of gum disease. The milder version is gingivitis. This is usually caused by poor oral hygiene. With gingivitis, the gums become red and swollen. The gums also tend to bleed easily; however, there is usually little discomfort. Gingivitis is reversible—if people adopt good oral care habits.

The second type of gum disease is called periodontitis. Gingivitis will turn into periodontitis if it is left untreated. The way this happens is that plaque continues to grow on the teeth and then it spreads below the gum line. Teeth get infected and the bone and tissue supporting the teeth begin to become destroyed. The gums separate from the infected teeth. Eventually, as more bone and tissue is destroyed, the teeth can become loose and fall out. Although periodontitis is much more serious than gingivitis, there are often little or no symptoms with this disease.

In fact, the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) has compiled a list of warning signs for people because gum disease can be such a silent disease. Patients are advised to watch out for the following symptoms, being sure to visit their dentist if any of these symptoms appear:

• Red and tender gums that are swollen
• Pain in the mouth
• Bleeding while flossing or brushing
• Bleeding while eating
• Loose teeth or teeth that feel as if they are separating
• Gums that have receded, making the teeth appear larger/longer than previously
• A difference in the way that the teeth fit together when you bite
• Pus in-between the gums and the teeth
• Sores anywhere in the mouth
• Chronic bad breath
• Partial dentures fit differently than before

There are a few different methods through which gum disease can be treated. The right treatment for any patient will be determined by that patient’s dentist and the patients; each case is different. Here are the treatment types:

Non-Surgical: Many dentists will first try non-surgical methods so as to hopefully avoid surgery since it carries more risks. Scaling and root planning (removing plaque and tartar below the gumline) are commonly tried, along with applying antimicrobials.

Surgical: This can include soft tissue grafts, crown-lengthening procedures, pocket-reduction procedures, and regenerative procedures.

Dental Implants: These are often used in patients who have already lost teeth due to gum disease.

Cosmetic Procedures: Gum disease can affect how a person’s smile looks; therefore, many periodontists will perform procedures such as crown lengthening, soft tissue grafts, and ridge augmentation to not only help restore function (which is done on a surgical basis), but to also help improve a person’s smile.

Gum disease affects millions of people every year. With proper oral hygiene techniques, much of these issues could be eliminated.