The toxins released by the bacteria in dental plaque which has accumulated
along the gum margin for a period of time irritate the periodontal tissues
(tooth supporting tissues) and lead to Periodontal Disease.
Under the following situations, you are prone to having Periodontal Disease:
1. Accumulation of dental plaque
2. Smoking
Smokers have five times greater chance to suffer from Periodontal Disease
than non-smokers because:
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Early symptoms of Periodontal Disease
is less noticeable in smokers
Smoking makes early symptoms of Periodontal Disease such as swollen
gums and bleeding while brushing less noticeable because chemicals
in cigarettes such as nicotine cause blood vessel constriction. As
the bleeding symptom is not obvious, it is not easy to discover that
the gingivae have been inflamed. As a result, the Periodontal Disease
will aggravate unnoticed.
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Smoking lowers the body resistance and
therefore lowers the healing capability of patients with Periodontal
Disease
Nicotine in cigarettes lowers the healing capability of oral tissues,
retards the healing process and causes the Periodontal Disease to
worsen.
3. Stress
Stress lowers the body resistance towards illnesses including Periodontal
Disease.
4. Hormonal changes during pregnancy
Because of the hormonal changes during pregnancy, the periodontal tissue
of an expectant mother is more susceptible to the irritation of toxins
released by the dental plaque, resulting in red, swollen and bleeding
gums. This is called “Pregnancy Gingivitis”.
5. Systemic diseases
Systemic diseases such as Diabetes Mellitus, Leukaemia, and AIDS, lower
the resistance of the periodontal tissues towards bacterial infection.
Bacteria inside the dental plaque will intrude and cause Periodontal Disease
if the oral cavity isn't thoroughly cleaned. Furthermore, the healing
capability is also lowered in patients suffering from these diseases,
and it is more difficult for them to recover from Periodontal Disease.
Therefore, Periodontal Disease is more progressive and severe in these
patients.
6. Intake of medications
Intake of medications such as anti-hypertensive and anti-convulsant drugs
stimulates the multiplication and activity of fibroblasts (a type of cells)
in the gingivae and causes gingival swelling. Dental plaque that accumulates
in the swollen gingivae is difficult to be cleaned, which leads to more
gingival inflammation and further swelling.
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Besides red, swollen gums and bad breath, people
with periodontal disease will suffer from gum recession, widening
of space between teeth (interdental space), mobile and drifting teeth,
or even loss of affected teeth. On top of the adverse effect on the
person's appearance, it also greatly lowers his/her self-esteem. It
will interfere with his/her normal social life.
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Furthermore, gum recession will lead to exposed
root surfaces, which makes the teeth sensitive when taking hot, cold,
sweet, or sour food. Severe periodontal disease will also cause loosening,
drifting or even loss of affected teeth, which makes chewing difficult
and inefficient. It adversely affects the general health and the quality
of life.
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If a person who wears a denture suffers from Periodontal
Disease, the denture may become unfit because of the destruction of
periodontal tissues. A new denture may need to be made.
The early signs of Periodontal Disease are redness and swelling
of the gingivae which also bleed easily. However, it should better be
confirmed by the dentist's diagnosis.
1. Mild Periodontal Disease
Symptoms:
- Gingival margin is red and swollen
- Gingivae (gum) bleed easily upon toothbrushing
- Calculus may be accumulated
- The teeth or gingivae may be painful
- Bad breath
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Management:
Then, the area with mild Periodontal Disease will heal by itself.
2. Moderate Periodontal Disease
Symptoms:
-
Gingival margin shows marked redness and
swelling
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Gingivae always bleeds upon toothbrushing
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Gingival margin recedes, leading to the
exposure of the root of the tooth and the tooth looks longer
-
Periodontal pocket is formed (The inflammation
of periodontal tissues leads to the destruction of periodontal
membrane. The periodontal tissues and the root of the tooth
become detached and a periodontal pocket is formed in between.)
-
Calculus is accumulated
-
Bad breath
-
The teeth or gingivae may be painful
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Management ：
-
Go and see a dentist immediately for scaling
to remove the calculus and the dental plaque in the periodontal
pocket. After the removal of calculus, it will be easier to
thoroughly remove the dental plaque.
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Use oral care products such as toothbrush,
dental floss, etc., to remove the dental plaque everyday in
the morning and before bed at night in order to prevent Periodontal
Disease from progressing or recurring.
After treated by a dentist, you must maintain good oral care
habits and visit the dentist regularly for oral check-up.
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3. Severe Periodontal Disease
Symptoms:
-
Gingival margin shows marked redness and
swelling
-
Gingivae always bleed during tooth brushing
-
Periodontal tissues recede markedly and
the tooth looks longer and longer
-
Periodontal pocket is formed, pus exudes
from the gingival margins and periodontal abscess may be formed
-
Calculus is accumulated
-
Bad breath
-
The teeth or gingivae may be painful
-
The affected tooth becomes loose and drifts
away from its original position
-
The affected tooth may even fall out
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Management:
-
See a dentist immediately for:
- Scaling to remove the calculus
- Root planing or periodontal surgery to remove the dental
plaque and calculus on the roots of the teeth and in the
periodontal pockets.
- Receive antibiotic therapy as needed
-
Use oral care products such as toothbrush,
dental floss, etc. to thoroughly remove dental plaque everyday
in the morning and before bed at night so as to control the
progression of the disease.
-
After treated by a dentist, you must maintain
good oral care habits and visit the dentist regularly for oral
check-up.
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1. Clean your teeth thoroughly everyday in
the morning and before bed at night to remove dental plaque.
2. Receive appropriate treatment for your condition:
Of course you can. You only need to:
1. Thoroughly remove dental plaque
-
Clean your teeth thoroughly everyday in the
morning and before bed at night especially along the gum margin.
-
Toothbrushing alone cannot effectively clean
the adjacent surfaces of teeth. Therefore, it is necessary to
use the dental floss to clean the teeth once daily.
-
People with fixed bridge should also thoroughly
clean their teeth; especially clean the areas underneath the
fixed bridge with superfloss.
-
People with removable denture must clean
their teeth every night before bed, and then immerse the denture
into a glass of water overnight.
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2. Have an oral check-up at least once a year.
The dentist will give you oral health instructions and suggestions
on toothbrushing and flossing techniques to improve your oral health.
Because toothbrushing cannot remove calculus, you can also have a scaling
during the same appointment. After calculus removal, it will be much easier
to clean the teeth. Initial stage periodontal disease can also be discovered
and treated.
To avoid "Pregnancy Gingivitis", expectant
mothers should receive a dental check-up during the forth to sixth month
of pregnancy because the infant is more stable at this time and it is
more convenient for expectant mothers to receive treatment.
3. To maintain good physical and mental health.
4. Do not try the first puff of cigarette
If you are already a smoker, you should quit smoking as soon as possible.
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