GUM DISEASE, PERIODONTAL DISEASE, PERIODONTITIS - CERTIFIED PERIODONTISTS
Serving
San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Palo Alto, Mountain
View, Saratoga, Los Altos, & Campbell
What is periodontal (gum) disease?
Periodontal (gum) disease affects the gums and bone supporting the
teeth. You may have gum disease and not even know it.
There are no early warning signs, except for occasional
bleeding and redness around the gums when brushing,
and mouth odor. However, as the disease progresses,
the symptoms become more obvious. If left untreated,
periodontal disease can lead to loosing of teeth, receding
gums, and gum discomfort.
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Gums separate from
teeth, forming a
periodontal pocket. |
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Healing is complete.
Periodontal pocket is
reduced, and new healthy
tissue supports tooth. |
What causes periodontal disease?
Bacteriaare the primary cause of periodontal infection.
Bacteria form in plaque, which is sticky, almost
invisible film that forms over the teeth and destroys
bone. Plaque that is not removed by regular brushing
and flossing hardens into tartar over time. You
cannot remove tartar (or calculus) on your
own. The only way to remove tartar is by a procedure
called scaling, which is done by a dentist.
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Plaque that should have been
removed by brushing or flossing
has now become calculus,
which you cannot remove yourself. |
What are the stages of periodontal (gum) disease?
Stage 1: Gingivitis
In this early stage, your gums may look normal but
they also may be red, puffy, and bleed easily when
you brush your teeth. You also may notice some mouth
odor. This is because bacteria in plaque have caused
infection.
Stage 2: Early Periodontitis
Early
periodontitis occurs when the bacterial infection
spreads from the gum to the bone that supports
the teeth. The bacteria then cause small spaces,
or crevices, to form between the gums.
These crevices are called pockets.
They are deeper than normal spaces, which measures
to 1 to 3 mm deep. Bacteria in the pocket also
can destroy some bone. As the pocket grows and
the amount of bacteria increases, the gums recede
down the root of the tooth, increasing the pocket
depth. Your dentist measure how deep your pocket
is with an instrument called a periodontal
probe, which is placed in the gum crevice. |
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Stage 3: Moderate
Periodontitis
When the gum has crept further down the root, it
is called moderate periodontitis. In this stage,
up to one-third of your bone has been lost. |
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Stage 4:Advanced Periodontitis
When half or more of the original bone holding the
tooth has been lost, and pockets are very deep,
it is called advanced periodontitis. The tooth
may appear longer because the root is exposed,
and the tooth may loosen and eventually fall
out, or have to be removed by your dentist. |
What you and we can do to treat and prevent periodontitis
Periodontal
disease may be prevented if you brush and floss
every day to remove bacterial plaque and get regular
dental checkups.
If you do have periodontal disease, we will normally
remove the calculus above and below the gum. This
procedure is called scaling. In moderate
or severe periodontitis, it may be necessary to
smooth the surface of the teeth. This procedure,
is called root planing. It removes residual
calculus and bacterial by-products. We may also
replace old crowns and fillings that no longer fit
well because these trap bacteria and food that can
cause severe periodontal problems.
Serving San Jose, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Santa Clara, Palo Alto, Mountain View, Saratoga, Los Altos & Campbell
Dental Implants, Dentures & Prosthedontics, Cosmetic Dentistry, CEREC One Visit, Crowns & Bridges
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