Tooth Be Told

This week’s edition of Tooth Be Told discusses one of many questions I get asked all the time: What is periodontal disease and how do you treat it?

By definition, periodontal disease is a chronic infection that affects the gums and the bone. Symptoms associated with this infection can be red, swollen, or bleeding gums, loose teeth, bad breath, and sometimes, pain or sensitivity. However, most often, most patients are asymptomatic.

Bacterial biofilm (a sticky layer of microorganisms) deposits form around the base of the tooth between the gums and the bone. The larger the space, the more at risk you are.

Your body fights against this biofilm by secreting enzymes and agents to eliminate the bacteria. As a result, the bone and gums can erode and retract. Unfortunately, once diagnosed with periodontal disease, it does not go away. Instead, inflammation can improve or stabilize, but the resulting bone and gingival loss is ever present.

This disease can be managed and maintained by routine dental debridement from your beloved hygienist, improved oral hygiene practices such as brushing, flossing, and the use of Waterpiks.

I especially recommend a Waterpik in dry climates due to the acute dryness as the irrigation adds hydration to our tissues. Dry tissue can be associated with a sticky surface for microorganisms to adhere to, hence an increased plaque and calculus buildup. At your dental visits, the pockets around your teeth are routinely measured (which you should be informed of), and closely monitored as well as the level of inflammation leading to active disease-causing bone degradation and tissue loss.

Complications of periodontal disease put you at an increased risk for heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Please ask and discuss any questions you have about the relationship between periodontal inflammation and systemic diseases with any oral health provider today!