Diagnosis. How it's done The dentist will examine your gums for signs of inflammation and use a tiny ruler called a “probe” to measure pockets around the teeth. Why it's done In a healthy mouth, the pockets around the teeth are usually between 1 and 3 millimeters. Deeper pockets can be a sign of periodontal disease.
Your periodontist will check your bite, how loose your teeth are and how much your gums are pulling away from your teeth (receding). Additionally, they'll take dental X-rays. These images show the areas of bone loss in detail. They can also look at older X-rays to see how your bone has changed over time.
Periodontal biomarker analysis using test strips may be considered rapid and easy tool for distinguishing between periodontitis and healthy patients. The increase in lactoferrin, hemoglobin, and leucocytes—determined by strip tests—may provide a non-invasive method of periodontal diagnosis.
Dentists are experts in keeping gums and teeth healthy. During a check-up they examine your mouth, teeth and gums to spot any problems. Dentist treatment for gum disease can often be the first defence against it and they may recommend a professional clean or scale and polish.
Scaling and root planing helps the pockets to shrink and gum tissue to heal. Medications may also be recommended to help control pain, infection, or to assist in healing. At the next appointment, the dentist will measure the depth of the pockets to determine the effect of the procedure.
To tell whether you have periodontitis and how severe it is, your dentist may: Review your medical history to identify any factors that could be linked to your symptoms. Examples include smoking or taking certain medicines that cause dry mouth.
Some signs and symptoms of periodontal disease are visible to the naked eye. Thus, the dentist may inspect your mouth and teeth for these signs. The dentist may suspect gum disease if they notice: Considerable plaque or tartar buildup.
With gum disease, you won't keep your teeth for long. In fact, unlike tooth decay which impacts your smile one tooth at a time, periodontitis can cause you to lose multiple, if not all, teeth at once. Gum disease starts small as a mild form called gingivitis.
Four out of five people have periodontal disease and don't know it! Most people are not aware of it because the disease is usually painless in the early stages. Unlike tooth decay, which often causes discomfort, it is possible to have periodontal disease without noticeable symptoms.
Symptoms of periodontitis can include: Swollen or puffy gums. Bright red, dark red or dark purple gums. Gums that feel tender when touched.
Routine blood tests given during physician visits can reveal periodontal disease indicators, say researchers in the December issue of the Journal of Periodontology.
If you have mild gingivitis, it can take weeks or even months for it to turn into periodontitis. However, if you have severe gingivitis, it can progress into periodontitis in as little as a few days. This is why it is so important to see a dentist as soon as you notice any symptoms of gingivitis.
X-rays in Periodontal Evaluation
Since the bone is what keeps your teeth secure, bone loss is an indication of periodontitis, which is a serious oral infection. By utilizing x-rays, your dentist can spot bone loss early and refer you to a periodontist who can diagnose your stage of gum disease.
Stage 1: Gingivitis
Gums that should otherwise be pink will appear red and swollen; you could experience bleeding when you brush or floss. However, at this point, gingivitis can still be reversed. The bone and fibers that hold your teeth in place have not yet been affected.
The prevalence of periodontal (gum) disease continues to be an important public health problem in the United States as 2 in 5 adults are affected by some form of this disease.
It's important to see a dentist right away if you ever suspect something is wrong with your gums. Both gingivitis and periodontitis can happen faster than you think. If you ever feel like your gums are tender, look red or swollen, or you're noticing pink on your floss or toothbrush, give us a call as soon as you can.
But most cases develop after the age of 35. Because the disease usually progresses slowly, those affected do not detect the first problems until much later – sometimes when it is already too late. In old age, the consequences of periodontitis can be more serious, in terms of greater bone loss and more tooth loss.
Gum disease is an infection of the gum tissue; it isn't an infection of the teeth. Therefore, it is important to understand that removing your teeth will not actually treat or cure your gum disease. However, extractions can be an important part of your overall treatment plan to get your oral health back on track.
Periodontal disease is not a life-threatening condition.
Regular cleanings, usually recommended once or twice per year, help prevent extensive oral health problems from developing, namely periodontal disease.
The simple answer is no. You need healthy, strong gums to get a dental implant. Like we mentioned before, gum disease weakens and dissolves this tissue and bone. So even after you've treated the disease, your gum tissue and jawbone may not be strong enough to support an implant.
And though periodontitis is common, it is preventable with the right oral hygiene and regular dental checkups. However, if you do develop periodontitis, it is treatable, and periodontal treatments can leave you with healthy gums, which means healthy teeth.
Can you still have gum disease even if your gums no longer bleed when brushing? The answer might just be that simple, especially if you brush and floss twice a day every day. Yes, you can brush too hard or too much. For some people, they put a little too much effort, or physical pressure, into brushing and flossing.