GUM DISEASE

Gum diseases are a major cause of about 70% of tooth loss. Three fourth of adult Indian population is suffering from one or other type of gum disease.

Symptoms are

•  Bleeding while brushing 
• Red, swollen or tender gums
• Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
• Pus between your teeth and gums.
•  Mobility in tooth or teeth (loose teeth)
• Bad breath that doesn’t go away 
• Early loss of tooth without apparent injury 
• A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite 
• A change in the fit of partial dentures 

  NON –SURGICAL 

•   Scaling and root planning

  SURGICAL 

•   Gingival curettage 
•   Flap surgery 
•   Flap surgery with bone graft 
•   Gingivoplasty 
•   Crown lengthening 
•   Gingival scrapping 

Gum disease refers to inflammation (swelling) of the soft tissue (gingiva) and untimely loss of bone around the teeth that holds them in place with the help of millions of elastic fibers. Gum disease is the second most common cause of toothache.  

Gum disease is caused by toxins secreted by bacteria in "plaque" that accumulates over time along the gum line. This plaque is a mixture of food, saliva, and bacteria. 

 Red swollen gums and bleeding without pain are the early symptoms of gum disease. The disease may progress without pain destroying the supporting bone and receding (lowering) gum around the teeth leading to untimely fall of the teeth. Pain is a symptom of advanced gum disease as the loss of bone around the teeth without the recession of gum leads to the formation of gum pockets. Bacteria in these pockets cause gum infection, swelling, pain, and further bone destruction. Advanced gum disease can cause loss of otherwise healthy teeth.

Treatment of early gum disease involves oral hygiene and removal of bacterial plaque. Moderate to advanced gum disease usually requires a thorough cleaning of the teeth and teeth roots called "root planning" and "sub-gingival curettage." Root planning is the removal of plaque and tartar (hardened plaque) from exposed teeth roots while sub-gingival curettage refers to the removal of the surface of the inflamed layer of gum tissue. Both of these procedures are usually performed under local anesthesia and may be accompanied by the use of oral antibiotics to overcome gum infection or abscess. Follow-up treatment may include various types of gum surgeries. In advanced gum disease with significant bone destruction and loosening of teeth, teeth splinting or teeth extractions may be necessary.

It is the clinical name for the gum disease It is a progressive inflammatory disease of the gums and the surrounding tissue around the teeth. It was commonly referred to as pyorrhea . It is estimated that up to 80% of the population above the age of 40 may suffer from this disease with the severity varying drastically from one person to another. Periodontitis is the number one cause of tooth loss after the age of 40. 

Certain medical conditions or medications can make one more susceptible to gum disease. They include pregnancy, diabetes, epilepsy, and such medications as chemotherapy, birth control pills, antidepressants, and those for heart problems.

• Scaling and Root Planning: Manually removing the plaque and tarter from      the root surfaces of your teeth below the gum line. 
• Antibiotics: Because bacteria cause Periodontitis      antibiotics may be prescribed as pills or as an Antibiotic fiber. The      fibers are used in conjunction with scaling and root planning. They are      placed directly into the pockets and are removed within 7-10 days later.      Antibacterial mouth rinses may also be recommended to help plaque control.      
• Bite correction: An imbalanced bite may accelerate bone      destruction. Your teeth may be adjusted for proper and better function. A      Bite-guard (removable retainer fitting over teeth) may be required to      protect teeth surfaces and relax tense muscles. 
• Splinting: This technique attaches weak teeth together,      combining them into a stronger single unit, making them more stable and      offering more comfortable chewing. 

• Flap Surgery: The periodontist separates the gum from the      teeth creating a "flap" and accesses the infected pocket. The teeth      are cleaned of calculus and the infected gum is removed. It aims to      maintain an area that’s cleansable. 
• Gingivectomy: This procedure is performed when excess      amounts of gum growth around the teeth have occurred resulting in false      pocket formation. The excess of gum is cut exposing more of tooth for      keeping them clean and enhancing cosmetic value of the teeth. 
• Osseous (bone) surgery: This procedure is done to smoothen shallow      craters and defects in the bone due to mild or moderate bone loss. This      procedure is done in combination with a surgical flap operation to allow      slower growing bone, cementum and ligament cells to fill up a bony defect.      
• Bone Grafts: Tiny fragments of the patient's bone,      synthetic bone or bone obtained from a bone bank are used to fill a bony      defect around the teeth. These grafts act as a scaffold around which      patients own bone grows. 
• Soft Tissue Graft: In cases of gum recession a graft is usually      taken from the palate and transplanted onto the receding area to reinforce      the thin gum and to inhibit further gum recession. 

THE SUCCESS OF THE PERIODONTAL TREATMENT DEPENDS UPON THE WILL OF THE PATIENT TO MAINTAIN A GOOD ORAL HYGIENE WITH THE HELP OF HOME CARE PRODUCTS, COUPLED WITH REGULAR FOLLOW UP AT THE DENTAL OFFICE.