Gum Care
Gum disease or pyorrhea or periodontal infection is an ongoing bacterial infection within gums and bone surrounding your teeth. The infection begins with an inflammation of the gums around teeth & if not treated at a time, this inflammation may destroy the bone resulting in tooth loss. Approximately 75% of adult loses their teeth due to gum infection.
Research has been proved, the gum problems are caused mainly due to several serious medical conditions which include heart disease, diabetes & stroke. Periodontal health is an important key component to a healthy body hence oral health maintenance is essential.
What is an Ongoing Gum Infection?
Gum disease is an ongoing infection around your teeth to which you can not fight off the infection solely, but with the help of periodontal therapy we can improve the overall health of gums and residing bone by cleaning the debris & bacteria from the infection site allowing the gum for healing.
Why The Gum Infection Occurs?
People with gum disease have low resistance to bacteria, which results in progression of gum infection. Deeper it grows, more teeth support you lose. Here are some of the factors responsible are:
- Poor oral hygiene
- Dental plaque
- Smoking
- Hereditary factors
- Mental stress
- Inadequate nutrition
- Old age
- Prolonged Illness
What Are The Symptoms of Gum Infection?
The infection is painless until it reaches to an advanced stage. Although, there are few signs which show you have gum infection are:
- Red, swollen gums
- Gum bleeding while brushing or at other times
- Aching, bruised or tender gums
- Lowering gums
- Pus formation between teeth and gums
- Bad breath
- Disturbed bite
- Improper fit of partial dentures
- Loosen, spacing or protruding teeth
- Food disposition between or under the gums
If you notice the symptoms mentioned above are the warning signs of gum infection. Visit your dentist as soon as possible for a periodontal evaluation.
Sometimes, your gums seem normal but at the time of evolution, if the pockets present inside the gums, this means there is an ongoing infection.
How Gum Disease Treated?
About 75% of adult suffering from gum disease results in loss of tooth support. This is mainly caused by a bacterial infection that penetrates into the gums & bone around your teeth, creating inflammation. This condition is responsible in loosening of teeth followed by tooth loss.
Gum disease can only be treated by two ways depending on its severity and condition.
Scaling And Root Planning:
The primary periodontal condition can be treated by removing the bacterial waste, plaque, and calculus accumulated within gums. It is done with the help of ultrasonic scalar which cleans all the deposits adhered to the tooth surface. This minimizes the risk of further periodontal or gum problems.
Surgical Therapy
If the infection is too severe and starts destroying the tooth support resulting loosening of tooth or tooth loss, then a surgical procedure performed to remove the lower level infection. Dentist repairs the damaged area with a procedure known as Bone Grafting.