Dr. Andreea Larhs is a Dentist and who has answered some of the common questions bizymoms visitors have about Periodontal Disease.
Q. What is periodontal (gum) disease?
A. Periodontal (gum) disease – also called periodontitis - is a bacterial disease which leads to progressive loss of the bone and soft tissue attachment surrounding the teeth. Periodontitis typically will develop when plaque and tartar build up around the teeth and are not promptly removed with good home care and professional hygiene (dental cleaning). In the recent decade, research has demonstrated a clear and strong correlation between gum disease and increased risk of systemic conditions including heart disease, diabetes, low birth weight babies, as well as cancer (head and neck, pancreatic).
Q. What are the signs of periodontal (gum) disease?
A. Periodontal disease is seldom painful. More often than not, patients are unaware that they have gum disease. Signs include red gums, bleeding with brushing or flossing, loose teeth, bumps on the gums, bad taste or bad breath.
Q. Who gets periodontal disease?
A. Anyone can get gum disease – at any stage in life. Periodontitis is more prevalent in smokers than in the general population. Poor home care and lack of professional dental care also play a large role. In addition, some people are simply more susceptible to developing gum disease than others depending on their genetic makeup.
Q. How does one know if I have a gum disease?
A. Aside from the signs that I mentioned earlier, periodontal health or disease is diagnosed and monitored by a dentist and dental hygienist.
Q. What do I do if I think I have gum disease?
A. The first step is to see your dentist.
Q. What treatments are needed?
A. Treatments vary depending on the individual case and severity of the disease. Most often, the first line of treatment is ”scaling and root planning”, which essentially is a deeper cleaning of the teeth/roots likely with local anesthesia. Various home care techniques may be recommended and demonstrated by the hygienist or dentist to aid in improving and maintain gum health. Smoking cessation, if applicable, is highly recommended. Most smokers are well aware of the general health implications of smoking, but are surprised to find out that the habit may (and often does) lead to tooth loss as well.
Q. Who is a periodontist?
A. A periodontist (gum specialist) is a dentist who focuses on the care of the gums and bone surrounding the teeth. Your general dentist will refer you to a periodontist if your condition cannot be well managed within the general practice setting and further procedures are indicated, such as surgical intervention.
