Home	Map	Ask The Dentist	FAQ's	Polls	Procedure Research	Consultants	News	Schools	Directories	Jobs	Library
Click HERE to use Dental Health Search to Find a Dentist or more Dentistry research information

Dentist Finder

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
WashingtonDC
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Dental Health Library Article

Periodontitis - Gingivitis

Videos: New Choices in Minimally Invasive Treatment
Photo Gallery: Gum Disease
New Product Developments in Periodontics
Click here to research more about Gum - Periodontal Disease

Healthy Periodontal Tissue Picture

Gum Disease - Stages and Treatment

If you have been told you have periodontal (gum) disease, you're not alone. An estimated 80 percent of American adults currently have some form of the disease.

Periodontal diseases range from simple gum inflammation to serious disease that results in major damage to the soft tissue and bone that support the teeth. In the worst cases, teeth are lost.

The cause of periodontal disease

Our mouths are full of millions of bacteria which, along with saliva and enzymes gather with trapped food particles and create acid which dissolves the supporting structures of the teeth. The plaque becomes hardened and forms a hard concretion called calculus. This hard sticky material has to be removed with special instruments or ultra sonic scalers if it is really tenacious.

Gingivitis

The longer plaque and tartar are on teeth, the more harmful they become. The bacteria cause inflammation of the gums, commonly diagnosed as gingivitis: the gums become red, swollen and can bleed easily. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that can usually be reversed with proper treatment. Hard and soft tissue loss does not occur in this stage. It is easy to liken gingivitis with a sliver in a finger - if left for too long will bleed and become infected, but when removed will fully heal.

Periodontitis

Untreated, gingivitis develops into periodontitis (which means "inflammation around the tooth"). Gums pull away from the teeth and form pockets that are infected. The body's immune system fights the bacteria as the plaque spreads and grows below the gum line.

When bacteria and food are allowed to remain undisturbed, acidic byproducts or endotoxins are produced that dissolve away the bone around the teeth. Periodontitis is like a sliver that has been left in and results in bleeding pus, loss of attachment and will lead to irreversible loss of bone.

Risk Factors

Smoking One of the most significant risk factors associated with the development of periodontitis. Also lowers the chances of successful treatments
Hormonal changes in girls/women Hormonal influences make gums more sensitive and make it easier for gingivitis to develop for some patients
Diabetes People with diabetes have high risk for developing infections, including periodontal disease
Stress Research indicates stress can make it more difficult for our bodies to fight periodontal infection
Medications Some drugs, such as antidepressants and some heart medicines, reduce the flow of saliva which is known to have a protective quality for teeth and gum tissue
Illnesses Diseases like cancer or AIDS and their treatments can also affect the health of gums
Genetics Some people are more prone to severe periodontal disease than others

Age and Sex Factors

In general terms, people don't show signs of periodontitis until they are in their 30's or 40's, although gingivitis can start during teenaged years. Men are more likely to have periodontal disease than women.

Prevention at Home

Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
Floss every day preferably before bedtime so food can't remain in the mouth while you sleep - the time when salivary flow is greatly decreased
Visit your dentist routinely

Eat a well balanced diet
Don't use tobacco products

Self Diagnosis Tips

Persistent bad breath
Swollen or red gums
Bleeding, tender gum tissue
Painful chewing
Loose teeth
Sensitive teeth

Wisconsin Reconstructive Implant Dentistry
Richard Winter, DDS MAGD
Winter Dental Associates
5323 W. Hampton Avenue
Milwaukee Wisconsin WI 53218
(414) 464-9021

Ask a Question

[Home] [Ask The Dentist] [FAQ's] [Polls] [Consultants] [Directories] [Employment] [Library]
Contact the Editor
Dental Health Directory
Ask The Dentist
Featured in

Dental Pros and Cons

Videos
Pictures Photos
New Products
What Is FAGD - MAGD?
Bad Teeth Gums Gallery
Oral Lesion Laser
Free Treatment
Best Dentist???
Medication Chart
Minimally Invasive
Insurance Plans
Financing
Health Loans
Bridgework
Wisdom Tooth
Extraction Surgery
State of the Art Implants
Pediatric Phobia's
Sleep Apnea
Childrens Dental Disease
Orthodontic Migraines
CPAP Stop Snoring
Sedation Types
EKG Pulse Monitor
Gag Reflex
Xerostomia - Dry Mouth
Bad Breath Causes
Thinning Teeth Enamel
Loose Crowns
Tooth Enamel Repair
Denture Relining
Amalgam Fillings
Bargain Dentures
Gingivitis Contagious?
Periodontal Surgery
Photo Gallery
Implant Failures
Root Canal Pain
Broken RCT Files
Implant Socket Grafts
Black - Brown Gums
Pink Gingiva Laser
Immediate Dentures
Oral Surgery
Tooth Extractions
RCT - Root Canals
Unnecessary Extraction
Gum Reshaping
Gummy Orthodontics
Crown Facts
Avoiding Failures
SimPlant
Surgery Guides
Teeth In An Hour
3-D Imaging
Osseointegration
Headache Pain
RF Thermoneurolosis
Depression TMJ
Gum Disease
Gums - Bone Grafting
Gold Crowns
Good - Bad Veneers
Diastema Tooth Gaps
Bite - Occlusion
Jawbone Density
TMJ Pain?
Occlusal Physics
Whitening Myths
Demineralized Enamel
Sealants
Occlusion Splints
Enamel Damage
Receding Gums
Implants Explained
One Day Implant
Mini Implants
Virtual Dentistry
Makeover Videos
Dental Boards

Doctor Resources

Marketing
Training
Equipment
Labs
Free Job Listings