Periodontal disease or gum disease is a chronic gum condition that affects the gums and teeth. It generally occurs when bacteria begins to grow in your mouth. Untreated cases of periodontal disease would end up in loss of teeth and affect other oral tissues that surrounds your teeth.
What are the treatments available for this disease?
There are specialized dentists to treat this situation, who are referred to as periodontists. Most common treatments to treat the disease are:
- Gum lift/Gum Contouring is that in which the volume of the gum is reshaped.
- Periodontal plastic surgery allows the teeth to look significantly longer or more pronounced.
- Periodontal flap surgery is done to treat and repair periodontal pockets.
What is examined while finding for periodontal disease?
While making a gum and periodontal evaluation dentist examines certain things as:
- The space between your gums and teeth is measured with a computerized pocket depth measurement; smaller the size is the better it would be.
- Evaluating the bone loss.
- Determining the tooth mobility.
- Gum recession or its overgrowth measurement.
- Determining the amount of inflammation.
What are the non-surgical therapies for periodontal disease?
Some non-surgical therapies for periodontal disease are:
- Laser curettage promotes new connective tissue to the root removing the infected pocket lining.
- The customized oral hygiene ways are; prescription rinses and toothpaste, Sonicare tooth, brush irrigators, and tongue cleaners.
- Professional teeth cleaning and polishing, that is performed on a three-month cycle.
Is there any surgical therapy for periodontal disease?
At first, the non-surgical procedure is reevaluated and attempted; then only further moves are taken by the periodontist.
How can you prevent yourself from having this disease?
There are some ways to prevent you from having this disease, such as:
- It is better if you just quit smoking.
- Reducing stress can help improve the body’s immune system.
- Maintaining a well-balanced diet.
- Avoiding clenching and grinding of teeth.
What is the medical consideration regarding this disease?
In some preliminary studies, it is shown that people who suffer from periodontal disease are likely to suffer a fatal heart attack. People with diabetes are more prone to such bacterial infections leading to periodontal disease. Some indications state that periodontal diseases may risk pregnant women at pre-term birth and low birth-weight babies.
