A Comprehensive Look at Gum Disease Treatment in Our Practice at Banani, Dhaka
What is Gum Disease?
Gingivitis is a prevalent dental problem characterized by signs like swollen gums, persistent halitosis, and discomfort while eating. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that over 1 billion adults, accounting for about 19% of the global adult population, suffer from an advanced stage of gingivitis.
Periodontal disease, commonly referred to as gum disease, can impact the body’s ability to control inflammation, which may contribute to broader health problems. In the following sections, we will outline the different signs of gum disease and provide an overview of the treatment options offered in Singapore.
What Causes Gum Disease?
Various factors, such as lifestyle and hygiene habits, can lead to gum diseases. Being aware of these risk factors can assist in maintaining gum health more effectively and minimizing the chances of disease. These factors encompass:
Poor oral hygiene, such as infrequent or improper tooth brushing, can cause the buildup of bacteria and dental plaque, resulting in gingivitis and periodontitis.
Smoking raises the likelihood of gum diseases by restricting blood flow and weakening the immune system, leading to persistent bad breath.
The consumption of sugary foods and drinks can contribute to the development of cavities and gum inflammation.
Individuals with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes have an elevated risk of gum diseases due to metabolic imbalances and reduced susceptibility to infections.
Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy, menstruation, and menopause can heighten gum sensitivity and worsen inflammatory processes.
Chronic stress has the potential to compromise the immune system, rendering gums more susceptible to inflammation.
Individual susceptibility to gum diseases can be influenced by genetic factors.
The rate at which the supporting tissues of the teeth are broken down may be accelerated by clenching and grinding your teeth
Gum Disease Stages
Mild gum disease can progress to become severe, putting the soft tissues around the teeth at risk. Failure to address it early on can result in the advancement from gingivitis to advanced periodontitis. Timely prevention is essential to stop this advancement and prevent tooth loss.
Gingivitis
Gum inflammation, known as gingivitis, frequently occurs due to inadequate oral hygiene and the accumulation of bacteria. Signs of gingivitis include swollen, red, and bleeding gums, along with potential discomfort and halitosis. As gingivitis has not yet affected the bone and connective tissue that support the teeth, it can be reversed. Treatment primarily involves improving oral hygiene, scheduling regular dental cleanings, and using antiseptic products to reduce inflammation.
Periodontitis
Periodontitis is a more serious gum condition that arises when inflammation extends beneath the gum line, potentially resulting in pain, tooth loss, and abscesses. Treatment involves undergoing deep cleaning, addressing gum pockets (gaps that develop between the teeth and gums where bacteria can gather, leading to periodontitis), and utilizing antibiotics or resorting to surgery in severe instances.
Advanced Periodontitis
Advanced periodontitis, as the name suggests, is an advanced form of gum disease that represents the most severe stage and results in significant loss of tissue and bone. It is characterized by deep gum pockets and looseness of the teeth. Treatment may involve surgical intervention, restorative treatments, or the use of prosthetics to address tooth loss. It is imperative to uphold proper oral hygiene to prevent its occurrence.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
arious symptoms can indicate the presence of gum diseases, serving as important signs of oral health issues. Recognizing diverse symptoms that can indicate this condition is crucial. Seeking medical attention is important if you observe one or more of these symptoms.
Gum Recession
Gum recession can create new spaces between teeth, affecting the overall structure of the oral cavity. Other signs indicating recession include:
- Visibility of tooth roots: When gums recede, tooth roots may become visible.
- Changes in the appearance of gums: They may appear red, inflamed, or thinner than usual.
Swollen, Tender & Bleeding Gums
Swelling, tenderness, and bleeding gums are among the initial indications of gum problems. These signs commonly suggest the existence of gingivitis, the first phase of periodontal disease.
Gum Inflammation
The presence of redness and swelling in the gums indicates that there is an ongoing inflammatory process. This may be linked to factors like the buildup of plaque and elevated levels of bacteria.
Chronic Bad Breath
Even with good oral hygiene, persistent bad breath could indicate periodontal disease, particularly if there are pus formations present. If you are diligent about maintaining oral cleanliness and have no digestive issues, gum disease could be the cause.
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Pinkish Hue on Toothbrush After Brushing
After brushing, if you see blood on your toothbrush, it’s important to check the health of your gums as it could be an indication of gingivitis. Gums that are impacted by gum disease are sensitive and therefore more prone to injury.
Change in Bite Alignment
Changes in bite alignment and improper alignment of teeth can result from gum diseases. When gum disease progresses and causes pain and bleeding, people may change their chewing habits. This adjustment usually means using different teeth for chewing than they normally would, which can lead to problems such as teeth shifting and additional changes in bite alignment. These changes can greatly affect overall dental health.
Painful Chewing
Chewing can become uncomfortable due to gum disease, particularly with hard or fibrous foods. This might cause individuals to opt for softer, often sugary foods, exacerbating gum disease and potentially resulting in more severe conditions like severe periodontitis.
Pus Between Teeth and Gums
Pus between the teeth and gums indicates an infection that needs immediate assessment and treatment by a dentist. Seeking prompt treatment can prevent the infection from spreading, preserve the tooth, and improve gum health.
Loss of Teeth
In the advanced stages of periodontitis, the deterioration of dental and gum tissues can lead to tooth loss. As the gums weaken, their ability to support the teeth roots diminishes. This weakening causes the teeth to become loose and, over time, can result in the eventual loss of teeth.
A qualified dentist will help you to prevent gum disease from progressing further. For deep cleaning, schedule an appointment with a specialist.
Gum Disease Treatment Options
The treatment of gum diseases involves a variety of techniques to reduce inflammation and repair affected tissues. The specific methods employed depend on the severity and progression of the disease.
1. Non-Surgical treatment
Scaling and Polishing
It’s important to have regular scaling and polishing done in addition to your daily oral hygiene practices to prevent gum diseases. These cleanings help eliminate plaque and tartar build-up that can’t be reached by regular brushing and flossing, which is crucial for maintaining healthy gums and stopping the advancement of periodontal disease.
Root Planing
It is important to undergo professional dental cleaning to eliminate dental plaque and tartar, which is particularly beneficial for treating mild gum disease. With the use of specialized instruments, this procedure involves cleaning the roots beneath the gum line and aiding in the removal of plaque, which is essential in the initial phases to prevent additional inflammation and safeguard the teeth. Root planing also serves as a preventive measure for individuals with healthy gums.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are used to treat gum diseases by targeting bacterial infections that cause periodontal problems. They can be given either throughout the body or placed directly into the gum pockets to decrease infection and inflammation, helping in the healing process and utilized alongside other periodontal treatments to maximize results.
2. Surgical Treatments
Gum Contouring
Contouring of the gums is beneficial in reshaping excessive or uneven gums by using precise surgical methods to remove excess gum tissue, revealing more of the teeth, or adding tissue as needed. This procedure not only enhances gum health by eliminating overgrowth but also improves the symmetry and attractiveness of a person’s smile, creating a harmonious aesthetic by balancing the gum-to-tooth ratio.
Pinhole Gum Surgery
Pinhole gum rejuvenation is a minimally invasive technique to treat gum recession. Unlike traditional grafting, it involves creating a small hole to reposition the gum tissue. The procedure requires no stitches or significant incisions, offering quicker recovery. It effectively covers exposed roots, reduces sensitivity, and enhances the appearance of the gums, contributing to overall dental health and a more pleasing smile.
Bone Graft
The purpose of dental bone grafting is to repair or replace bone tissue in the vicinity of the teeth. This can involve using your own bone material or synthetic materials, like gum grafting. The goal is to reconstruct the jaw bone, provide support for teeth, and establish a solid base for tooth implants.
Soft Tissue Graft
Transplanting healthy, pinkish soft tissue to areas experiencing recession is a key part of soft tissue grafts, as it enhances gum coverage on teeth. The main outcomes of this procedure include improving the aesthetic appearance, reducing sensitivity, and safeguarding teeth roots from decay. As a result, it plays a significant role in promoting gum health and stability.
Periodontal Surgery
Surgical interventions are performed to restore and uphold healthy gums, encompassing the elimination of unhealthy tissues, management of spaces between teeth and gums, and rectification of receding gums. For instance, Open Flap Debridement (OFD) is a form of surgery that reduces pockets by surgically opening gum tissue to eliminate plaque and tartar from deep periodontal pockets. The objective of these procedures is to address gum disease, prevent tooth loss, and enhance the appearance of the smile.
Guided bone regeneration
Encouraging the natural regrowth of bone and gum tissue lost to periodontal disease is the goal of this technique. It involves placing a biocompatible barrier between the bone and gums, which is a material compatible with living tissue and prevents adverse reactions. This allows bone cells to proliferate, leading to increased support for teeth and potentially reversing some of the damage caused by periodontitis.
How to prevent gum disease?
Preventing gum diseases is easier than treating them, as advanced stages can threaten chewing function. Here are some recommendations that may help:
- Remember to brush your teeth gently using a soft toothbrush at least twice a day, and make sure to use dental floss to effectively remove dental plaque.
Include dental floss or interdental brushes in your daily regimen to clean the spaces between your teeth. - Consider using antiseptic mouthwashes to rinse your mouth and reduce bacterial activity around your teeth.
Make sure to schedule preventive check-ups and cleanings with your dentist at least once every six months. - Maintain a well-balanced diet consisting of nutritious foods such as fruits, vegetables, and dairy products to promote gum health.
- Cut down on the consumption of sugars and acidic foods that can contribute to dental plaque formation.
- If you smoke, consider quitting as it is a risk factor for gum diseases.
- Stay vigilant about your overall health and seek dental attention promptly at the first signs of problems.