According to the CDC, as many as 47.2% of Americans (64.7 million aged 30 and older) have gum disease. For people over the age of 65, this number rises to 70%. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss and is associated with other diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
Inflammation of the gums is called gingivitis. It is the initial phase of periodontal disease. This occurs when bacteria and plaque from our food are not removed. These foreign objects cause an immune reaction that includes bleeding, swelling, and pain. The condition can be reversed with proper hygiene at home and professional care. If it's not treated, it may progress to more severe stages. Periodontal disease, or periodontitis, is defined by bone loss.
Gingivitis can be caused by other factors. The condition can be aggravated by systemic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, or HIV. Hormonal changes can also worsen gingivitis during pregnancy or puberty. Other outside factors, such as smoking, medications and medication, can also affect the immune response.
The plaque and bacteria that accumulate around teeth begin to damage the bone beneath. Periodontal disease is the term used to describe this condition. As periodontitis advances, "pockets" in the gums surrounding the teeth become larger. In this area, bacteria grow, leading to bone destruction, bad breath, and ultimately tooth loss. It can be an entirely painless process until it's too late. Regular dental examinations are necessary to determine the depth of these pocket and make sure that they do not continue to grow. When periodontal disease has been diagnosed, it is necessary to undergo gum infection treatment and have more frequent dental appointments (every 3 months).
These other factors can exacerbate gum disease even though plaque is its primary cause:
Gum disease doesn't hurt. Gum disease is not painful, but it can progress and cause more symptoms and, eventually, tooth loss.
Gum infection can cause:
Researchers have found that bacteria and inflammation in the mouth can cause other diseases to develop in the body. Numerous studies have shown that treating gum diseases can boost the immune system's ability to fight other diseases.
If you or anyone in your family wants to become a new patient of Dr. Murphy’s, you can save money on the first visit! Get a free examination and x-rays when you schedule that initial visit. This is a $299 value, free of charge! (Some restrictions apply to this offer.) To schedule, please call our office today at (630) 793-0634,
In Batavia, we are located at 1605 West Wilson Street, just east of Ace Hardware. That’s just west of Batavia High School. We look forward to helping your entire family improve and maintain your dental health and beautiful smiles.
A yearly periodontal examination is recommended to check for signs and symptoms of gingivitis. The pocket depth is measured around the gums, and signs of inflammation or poor oral hygiene are checked. We use x-rays as well to check for bone loss.
Patients with a healthy oral cavity can benefit from a preventative cleaning. The cleaning is done in the mouth and around teeth, followed by polishing using prophy paste. If there are any areas that need attention, oral hygiene instructions will be given.
Patients with gingivitis, or inflammation of the gums, will need to undergo gingival cleaning. This involves cleaning around and in between teeth, as well as disinfection using antibiotic rinses. Then we will make sure that you know what areas are inflamed and how to clean those areas.
The treatment of gum infection is used when there are signs of periodontitis and bone loss. It consists of a number of steps. We will then remove any plaque or bacteria above and below your gums after a proper diagnosis. We will also smooth, scale, and polish the root surfaces to prevent them from collecting plaque. We will then disinfect the area using antibiotic rinses. Then, we will focus on oral hygiene and how to maintain and clean your teeth correctly.
Home care is the most important component of success. We recommend that you have a re-evaluation 6 weeks after the gum infection treatment to ensure you don't miss any areas when cleaning. Our hygienist can show you what you're missing and which tools you should use.
Research suggests that patients with periodontal disease and bone loss should be seen every three months by a dentist for an examination and cleaning. It has been determined that this frequency is the best way to stop further bone loss or the progression of disease. Everyone's response will be different because there are many different levels of compliance with home care.