Gum disease is an infection caused by bacteria and is one of the leading causes of tooth loss. It is also called periodontal disease because it affects the areas surrounding the tooth. These include the gums, bones and other structures supporting the teeth.
Gum diseases start off with the accumulation of plaque on the tooth’s surface. It becomes the breeding ground for the bacteria that causes infection. When the plaque hardens, it develops into tartar.
Types of gum diseases
There are two types of gum diseases. They are actually stages that are classified based on the severity of the disease instead of the two being completely different from each other. They are categorized based on the condition of your gumline and the nearby areas.
- Gingivitis – Gingivitis is the first stage and therefore the milder type of gum disease. At this stage, only the gum tissues surrounding the teeth are affected. It is characterized by swollen gums that easily bleed, especially while brushing.
- Periodontitis – When gingivitis is left untreated, it can lead to periodontitis, the second stage of gum disease. At this stage, the infection has already spread further down the gumline and is already affecting the supporting structures of the teeth, such as the tissues and the bones. Bacteria that breed on the plaque irritate the gums. As a result, the body’s immune system fights the bacteria, causing the gum and bone to separate and recede from the tooth. Once this happens, pockets or spaces are formed between the teeth and the gums. These pockets get bigger as the disease becomes worse and collect more debris and bacteria. This can then lead to infection that destroy the gums and the bone. The tooth loosens up from its socket because there are lesser support structures around it to anchor it down.
Types of non-surgical gum treatment
To prevent the infection from spreading and stop the disease from causing further damage, the patient should undergo periodontal treatment. Non-surgical treatments are a good option because they are less invasive and less costly.
During the initial stage of gum disease, gingivitis can be treated with a prescription mouthwash or toothpaste. These reduce plaque and stop bacteria from sticking to the teeth. Regular brushing and flossing also remove plaque buildup. Dental cleaning by a dentist will be needed to remove the plaque and tartar that were not removed by brushing and flossing, as well as those that have accumulated beyond the gumline.
Aside from these measures, dentists can also do the following procedures to treat periodontal diseases:
- Scaling and root planning – Considered as the most effective form of gum disease treatment, scaling and root planning has become the standard treatment for gum disease. Scaling means scouring the surface of the tooth all the way down to the root to get rid of plaque and tartar that have accumulated beyond the gumline, even in the periodontal pockets. Root planing means that the rough spots on the root of the tooth are smoothened to remove bacteria in that area. Antimicrobials are then used to remove and prevent the remaining bacteria from sticking again to the tooth.
- Tray delivery systems – Tray delivery systems use customized trays to administer gum disease medication. Impressions of the patient’s teeth are made first to make the trays. However, there have been studies saying that there is no strong proof that this method is effective.
- Antibiotics – Since gum disease is an infection, it can be treated with antibiotics. These may be taken alone or in conjunction with other types of treatments. However, there has been growing concern over their usage because they produce bacteria that are resistant to drugs.
When gum disease has already severely advanced, non-surgical gum therapy will not be enough anymore. Surgical gum treatment is the only possible option to repair the tissue if it has already been seriously damaged.
