Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is a set of inflammatory conditions affecting the tissues, including the gums and bone, surrounding the teeth. Oftentimes, gum disease causes bad breath. Patients are diagnosed for periodontal disease based on clinical examination and measurement of the pockets surrounding the teeth in addition to evaluation of radiographs (which allows the dentist to see bony changes surrounding the teeth and any possible active infections at the apex, or tip, of the roots of the teeth). Gum disease has many stages and should treated according to the severity or advancement of the stage.All of the stages of periodontal disease can be treated with Periodontal Treatment that is customized based on the patient’s level of disease and ability to maintain the health of their gums and teeth.
Stages and Treatment of Periodontal Disease:
- Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease, and is when the gums become swollen and red, with some possible bleeding. This stage of disease is typically reversible with consistent in office cleanings and treatments as well as proper home care due to the fact that the bony structures surrounding the teeth have not yet been affected by the inflammation caused by the bacteria in the gums.
- Localized Periodontitis is a localized, advanced stage of gum disease that causes redness and swelling of the gums, bleeding in the pockets of tissue formed around the teeth, and visible changes to the bone supporting the teeth. In acute periodontitis, the areas of damage are seen in pockets surrounding a limited number of teeth, not generalized across all or most of the teeth. With this level of disease, scaling and root planning or SRP procedures are indicated, which is when ultrasonic and hand instruments are used to clean below the gum line to remove mineralized calculus (more commonly known as “tartar”) from the teeth and gums. Patients may or may not require local anesthesia for this procedure, depending on the severity and/or depth of pocketing.
- Generalized Periodontitis is a generalized, advanced stage of gum disease that causes redness, swelling, and bleeding of the gums on most or all of the teeth. This level of periodontal disease means that the patient is at greater risk of tooth infection and loss. Typically, the dentist will need to use local anesthesia to numb the tissues in order to reach the deeper pockets where hard, mineralized calculus (or “tartar”) have attached to the tooth. Complete removal and irrigation of these deep pockets is imperative to allowing the tissues to heal and reattach to the tooth structures.
In between visits with your dentist, keeping good oral hygiene and consistency are key to optimizing your dental health. Your dentist will review your progress over time and make adjustments to your plan as needed, depending on improvements or declines in your overall gum health.