What is Periodontal (gum) Disease?

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=110 BGCOLOR="#666699" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="04900840erlcjm.png"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Greater St. Louis Dental Hygienists' Association</B></FONT><B>     |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Greater St. Louis Dental Hygienists Asso"><B>home</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id34.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Who We Are">Who We Are</A>   |   <A HREF="id35.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What is a RDH?">What is a RDH?</A>   |   <A HREF="id74.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Facts You Need to Know About Preceptorsh">Facts You Need to Know About Preceptorship</A>   |   <A HREF="id36.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Tips for Parents Childrens Oral Health">Tips for Parents - Children's Oral Health</A>   |   <A HREF="id54.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Oral Cancer Information">Oral Cancer Information</A>   |   <A HREF="id37.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Brush and Floss Techniques">Brush and Floss Techniques</A>   |   <A HREF="id53.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What is Plaque and Tartar">What is Plaque and Tartar</A>   |   <B>What is Periodontal (gum) Disease?</B>   |   <A HREF="id39.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What is Tooth Decay">What is Tooth Decay</A>   |   <A HREF="id40.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Emergency Tips">Emergency Tips</A>   |   <A HREF="id41.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Tooth Development">Tooth Development</A>   |   <A HREF="id42.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fluoride Facts">Fluoride Facts</A>   |   <A HREF="id55.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Halitosis (Bad Breath)">Halitosis (Bad Breath)</A>   |   <A HREF="id56.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Bleaching Your Teeth">Bleaching Your Teeth</A>   |   <A HREF="id43.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Related Links">Related Links</A>   |   <A HREF="id44.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us ">Contact Us   </A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=190 BGCOLOR="#CCCCFF" TEXT="#080000" background="04311c00egdysm.png"> <div> <B><IMG SRC="0c196540.png" border=0 width="150" height="84" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <A HREF="id34.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Who We Are">Who We Are</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id35.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What is a RDH?">What is a RDH?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id74.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Facts You Need to Know About Preceptorsh">Facts You Need to Know About Preceptorship</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id36.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Tips for Parents Childrens Oral Health">Tips for Parents - Children's Oral Health</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id54.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Oral Cancer Information">Oral Cancer Information</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id37.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Brush and Floss Techniques">Brush and Floss Techniques</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id53.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What is Plaque and Tartar">What is Plaque and Tartar</A></div> <div> <B>What is Periodontal (gum) Disease?</B></div> <div> <A HREF="id39.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What is Tooth Decay">What is Tooth Decay</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id40.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Emergency Tips">Emergency Tips</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id41.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Tooth Development">Tooth Development</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id42.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fluoride Facts">Fluoride Facts</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id55.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Halitosis (Bad Breath)">Halitosis (Bad Breath)</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id56.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Bleaching Your Teeth">Bleaching Your Teeth</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id43.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Related Links">Related Links</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id44.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us ">Contact Us   </A></div> <div> <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Dental Professionals">Dental Professionals</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id32.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Consumers">Consumers</A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Dental Professionals">Dental Professionals</A></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=370 width="100%" BGCOLOR="#FFFFCC" TEXT="#080000"> <div> What is Periodontal (gum) Disease?</div> <bR> <div> Periodontal disease (gum disease) is a  bacterial infection of the supporting tissues (both gum and bone) of the teeth. It is the most common cause of tooth loss and affects a majority of adults (3 out of 4) in some form over the age of 35.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Causes of Periodontal Disease</B></div> <bR> <div> Periodontal disease is caused by the accumulation of plaque on the teeth and in-between the teeth and gums. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria, which when allowed to accumulate, particularly in the spaces between the teeth and gums, creates an infection that causes gum inflammation and, in later stages, bone loss around the teeth.  Other factors include smoking, genetics, pregnancy, stress, diabetes, medications, clenching or grinding, poor nutrition, and other systemic diseases that cause your immune system to become depressed.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Stages</B></div> <bR> <div> Gingivitis:  The earliest stage and most easily treated. It is characterized by red, swollen gums that have a tendency to bleed easily. It can be reversed by diligent daily brushing and flossing. Probe depth still normal.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1de7d640.jpg" border=0 width="381" height="100" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Periodontal Case Type I</div> <bR> <div> Mild to moderate periodontitis: Destruction of tissue and bone begin. Professional treatment is required.  Probe depth 4 - 6 mm.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1e07e640.jpg" border=0 width="382" height="100" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Periodontal Case Type II </div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1df80640.jpg" border=0 width="384" height="100" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Periodontal Case Type III </div> <bR> <div> Advanced periodontitis: Progression of moderate periodontitis, marked by more tissue and bone loss. Often surgery is required to restore gingival health. The longer periodontitis is left untreated, the more likely teeth are to be lost.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1e17f640.jpg" border=0 width="383" height="100" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Periodontal Case Type IV </div> <div>  </div> <bR> <div> <B>Signs of Periodontal (Gum) Disease</B></div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">gums that bleed when you brush or floss</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">red, swollen, or tender gums</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">gum recession (exposed roots)</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">bad breath </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">pus between your teeth and gums</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">loose teeth</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">sensitive teeth</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">pain when biting</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">hard, cream or brown colored deposits on teeth (tartar or calculus)</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">a change in the fit of partial dentures</div> <bR> <div> If you detect any of the above signs, please call your dentist and make an appointment for  a periodontal evaluation. The earlier you detect periodontal disease, the easier it is to treat. In the gingivitis stage, it is easily reversed by diligent daily brushing and flossing. In the periodontitis stage, professional care is necessary. Periodontitis is not curable. It is a disease that, like diabetes, is controlled but not cured.  </div> <bR> <div> <B>Detection and Treatment</B></div> <bR> <div> Your dental hygienist is your first line of defense when it comes to detecting and treating periodontal disease. At every dental hygiene visit, your dental hygienist should evaluate the gum tissues, taking measurements (called probe readings) around every tooth. These measurements, along with x-rays, allow the dentist to evaluate bone level and overall gingival health. Normal measurements are in the 2-3 mm range.  The deeper the measurement (called pockets), the more severe the problem.</div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="17e576e0.jpg" border=0 width="87" height="110" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">                                 </B> <IMG SRC="18441630.jpg" border=0 width="65" height="99" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">                                     <IMG SRC="18558690.jpg" border=0 width="88" height="105" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="1e250a70.jpg" border=0 width="336" height="167" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> Your dentist and dental hygienist  may recommend non-surgical treatment, called root debridement or root planing, to treat moderate stages of periodontal disease (4 to 6 mm pockets), which is done by your dental hygienist. For more advanced stages, surgery may be needed and you will be referred to a periodontist (gum specialist).     </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1e3a16d0.jpg" border=0 width="161" height="109" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">              <IMG SRC="1e49d6d0.jpg" border=0 width="157" height="109" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">           <IMG SRC="1e5f36b0.jpg" border=0 width="243" height="107" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">          <IMG SRC="1e6f6680.jpg" border=0 width="246" height="104" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> Once periodontal disease is treated, more frequent appointments are needed to maintain periodontal health and patients are asked to come in every 3-4 months for care, rather than the standard six months.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Healthy gums</B></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1f082640.jpg" border=0 width="386" height="100" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Healthy gums: tissue is firm, pink in color and does not bleed when brushed or flossed. Probe measurements 1-3 mm in depth.</div> <bR> <div> Here are some tips for healthy gums:</div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Brush at least twice daily</B>, for a minimum of two minutes each time.</div> <div> <I><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">FLOSS</B></I><I><B> DAILY</B></I>  The importance of this simple task cannot be understated! Floss or interdental cleaners remove bacteria from areas in-between the teeth that the toothbrush cannot possibly reach. If you are uncomfortable flossing or need tips on how to do it, your dental hygienist will be happy to help you!</div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Don't smoke</B>.  Smoking is a very significant risk factor for periodontal disease, among many other diseases and conditions!</div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Eat a balanced diet</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Visit your dentist regularly</B>. Professional cleanings by your dental hygienist and exams by your dentist on a regular basis (at least every six months) are essential to preventing periodontal disease.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Periodontal Disease Linked to Heart Disease and Other Conditions</B></div> <bR> <div> Recent research has linked periodontal disease to increased risk of heart attacks and heart disease. In pregnant women, it is linked to low birth weight babies.</div> <div> The good news is that periodontal disease is easily prevented by good oral hygiene at home and regular visits to your dentist and dental hygienist.</div> <div> Check out the following links for information about periodontal disease and its connection to heart attacks, strokes and other diseases!</div> <bR> <div>  <img src="HTMLobj-321/aniGif.gif" border="0" align="bottom" width="85" height="35">  </div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.perio.org/consumer/mbc.top2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.perio.org/consumer/mbc.top2.h">The Mouth Body Connection </A></div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>