Gum Treatment

Gum Treatment

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease and pyorrhea, is an inflammatory condition affecting the tissue surrounding a tooth, and is the leading cause of tooth loss. Gingivitis is a bacterial infection of the tissue in the mouth and potential precursor of gum disease. Once gum disease sets in, the toxins produced by the bacteria damage the teeth’s connective tissue and bone; effectively destroy them and fostering tooth loss.
We encourage that plaque and calculus (also known as tartar) should be removed through ultra-gentle professional cleanings, and sometimes, if it’s been a while since having your teeth cleaned, through the additional procedure of deep scaling and root planing. A local anesthetic may be administered during these procedures. Dr. Luther may also administer a localized antibiotic to treat more “resistant” bacteria housed in the pockets of your gums, and possibly recommend a medicated mouthwash to be used as a regular part of your home regimen.
Since bone and gum recession/loss is not visible to the naked eye, and if left undetected, periodontal disease may contribute to tooth loss. So, it is very important to visit Dr. Luther for professional examinations and dental cleanings to identify gum disease.

Here are some common signs of gum disease you and your dentist can look for:
•   Bleeding gums during tooth brushing or otherwise
•   Sensitive, red or swollen gums
•   Bad breath
•   Teeth that are loose or appear to have shifted

Causes of Gum Disease

There are a number of causes of gum disease, each of which can be corrected and controlled. The causes of gum disease include:

Improper Dental Hygiene: If plaque is not removed through daily dental hygiene practices and regular professional dental cleanings, bacteria may set in and cause gingivitis, which may eventually result in gum disease.

Organic changes in the mouth: Changes that occur in metabolism and hormone levels during pregnancy, puberty, and menopause may affect the organic balance in the mouth, and make teeth more susceptible to gum disease.

Medical conditions: Serious conditions that affect the body’s ability to produce sugar (such as diabetes or kidney disease) may contribute to periodontal disease. Furthermore, the Center for Disease Control has found an association between certain illnesses (including diabetes, stroke, and heat attack) and gum disease. Finally, medications used to treat medical conditions may produce the overgrowth of gums. Overgrown gums are more susceptible to bacteria, and therefore gum disease.

Saliva Flow Inhibitors: Certain medications that produce oral side effects or dry mouth syndrome (xerostomia) may contribute to a reduction of protective saliva flow, and potentially to gum disease. Seniors may be more susceptible to dry mouth syndrome because of the natural reduction of salivary flow associated with age.

Poor Functional Habits: teeth grinding or clenching may impair the surrounding tissue and is a possible contributor to gum disease.

Normal Healthy Gums-Healthy gums and bone anchor teeth firmly in place

Gingivitis-Plaque and its by-products irritate the gums, making them tender, inflamed, and likely to bleed

Periodontitis-Unremoved plaque hardens into calculus (tartar). As plaque and calculus continue to build up, the gums begin to receed (pull away) from the teeth, and pockets form between the teeth and gums.

Advanced Periodontitis-The gums receed farther, destroying more bone and the surrounding ligament. Teeth-Eeven healthy teeth-may become loose and need to be extracted.