Periodontal (gum) disease

What is it?

Periodontal disease affects the gums and bone supporting your teeth. It is caused by sticky plaque and hard deposits of tartar. It usually happens when the teeth and gums are not kept clean enough. If you have very bad gum disease, you may have inherited it or you have a problem with your general health which needs to be investigated.

Thorough brushing can remove sticky plaque. Scaling and polishing can remove hard tartar. Without regular cleaning, gum will come away from the tooth, making pockets around the teeth where food and plaque can collect. Pockets are more difficult to keep clean so gum disease will usually get worse if nothing is done.

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Gum disease has two stages:

1. It starts with inflammation- redness and swelling. Dentists call this gingivitis. It can be cured with good oral hygiene.
2. The next stage is called chronic periodontitis. Some of the bone that supports the teeth is lost and the teeth became loose until they eventually have to be taken out. Periodontitis cannot be reversed once it starts but it doesn’t have to get worse if you clean your teeth properly and have regular root planning from your dentist or hygienist.

Who gets gum disease?

Gum disease can start when you are a teenager. Chronic periodontitis is normally only for adults. You might be worried about bad breath or how your teeth look as the bone is lost. Some people are more likely to have periodontal disease then others:

1. A crooked tooth is more difficult to keep clean so you might have gum disease in just part of your mouth.
2. People have different bacteria in their mouths. This may explain why gum disease gets worse more quickly for some people but not others.
3. Diabetes and some other systemic disease can reduce how resistant gums and bones are to damage.
4. Hormonal changes also affect gum health. It could make a difference if you are pregnant or using an oral contraceptive.

What are the benefits of seeing a hygienist?

1. Gum disease will get worse if it is not treated. Because it is painless, it can become very bad without noticing. When there is not enough supporting bone left, teeth become loose and eventually have to be taken out. Root planning can stop gum disease becoming worse and prevent tooth loss.
2. Like scaling and polishing, root planning helps you to keep your teeth and gums clean at home. Dentists and hygienists cannot keep your mouth healthy by themselves. Your own cleaning is just as important.