Periodontal Disease is a serious gum infection that damages the gums and in more severe cases, can destroy the jawbone. It is typically caused by poor oral hygiene and is common. In fact, among the older age group in India, about 80% of persons have suffered from periodontal disease at some time in their lives. However, it is preventable and treatable in most people. Symptoms include bad breath and swollen, red, tender, and gums.
However, what is frightening about periodontal disease is that it can impact overall, systemic health rather than just dental health. In fact, recent research shows that periodontal disease is linked to several conditions such as heart diseases. In this article we’ll talk about the impact of periodontal disease on overall health.
Periodontal and Other Diseases
Why is periodontal disease linked to other systemic diseases? Experts have said that this could be due to oral bacteria escaping into the bloodstream and traveling to other major organs, causing disease. Some of the diseases linked to periodontal disease are:
- Heart Disease: The link between periodontal disease and heart disease is two-way. This means that gum disease can cause a heart problem and vice versa. Over the years, many studies have found that persons with periodontal disease are more likely to suffer from poor heart health, including heart attacks.
- Dementia: Periodontal disease has been known to increase the risk of dementia later in life. Researchers have also found that periodontal disease can cause less severe mental problems, such as poor memory, making daily activities more difficult. In a recent study, persons with periodontal disease scored poorly on calculations and memory tests.
- Diabetes: If you suffer from chronic diabetes, you are also more likely to have chronic periodontal disease. This is because of inflammation and also because persons with diabetes are more likely to contract infections, including gum infections. If your diabetes is not under control, you are at even greater risk of gum disease.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: This is an autoimmune disease, which presents as inflammation and painful joints. Persons with rheumatoid arthritis are more likely to have periodontal disease and vice versa. Chronic inflammation is common to both conditions. A study has found that patients with rheumatoid arthritis had less pain and swelling in their joints once their periodontal disease was treated.
- Premature Birth: Some studies show that having periodontal disease raises the risk for a pregnant woman and is more likely to result in a preterm birth. Also, those pregnant women who received treatment for their periodontal disease as opposed to those that did not, were less likely to deliver a preterm baby.
Diagnosis of Periodontal Disease
Your dentist or orthodontist may diagnose periodontal disease by reviewing your medical history, including the use of medications, if any; examining your mouth for plaque build-up; measuring the pocket depth of the groove between your gums and teeth, and taking dental X-rays. These diagnostic procedures will determine the best periodontic treatment for you.
Treatment of Periodontal Disease
The treatment for periodontal disease can be either non-surgical or surgical, depending on how advanced the periodontal disease is.
Non-surgical Treatment
If your periodontal disease is not advanced, your orthodontist will use less invasive procedures, which include:
- Scaling: This procedure removes tartar and bacteria from your tooth surfaces and from underneath your gums. Your orthodontist can do this using dental instruments, or then, a laser or an ultrasonic device.
- Root Planing: This smooths the root surfaces, preventing further build-up of tartar and plaque. It also removes bacteria that contribute to inflammation and delayed healing. It also involves reattachment of the gum to the tooth surfaces.
- Antibiotics: Topical and oral antibiotics can help control inflammation and infection. Topical antibiotics consist of gels or mouth rinses, which remove bacteria from the space between your teeth and gums, especially after deep cleaning. However, oral antibiotics may need to be given, to completely eliminate bacteria.
Surgical Treatment
If you have advanced periodontal disease, you may need surgical treatment, which includes:
- Pocket-reduction surgery: Your orthodontist may make tiny incisions in your gum and lift up a section of your gum tissue, thereby exposing your roots. These are then effectively scaled and cleaned and are then sutured back into place. Once you heal, it is easier to clean these areas and maintain healthy gum tissue.
- Soft-tissue grafts: Your gum line may recede due to loss of gum tissue. You can replace this gum tissue, by soft-tissue grafts. A small amount of tissue is removed from your own palate or from another donor and is then attached to the affected site. This will help reduce further gum recession and will cover exposed tooth roots. It will also give you a more pleasing appearance.
- Bone grafting: This procedure is done when periodontal disease has destroyed the bone surrounding your tooth root. The bone graft may consist of your own bone or then, bone from another donor, or synthetic bone. This bone graft prevents tooth loss by holding your tooth in place. It also enables the regrowth of natural bone.
- Guided tissue regeneration: In this procedure, your dentist may place a special piece of biocompatible fabric between existing bone and your tooth. This prevents unwanted tissue from entering the area, and allows bone to grow back instead.
- Pocket-reduction surgery: Your orthodontist may make tiny incisions in your gum and lift up a section of your gum tissue, thereby exposing your roots. These are then effectively scaled and cleaned and are then sutured back into place. Once you heal, it is easier to clean these areas and maintain healthy gum tissue.
- Soft-tissue grafts: Your gum line may recede due to loss of gum tissue. You can replace this gum tissue, by soft-tissue grafts. A small amount of tissue is removed from your own palate or from another donor and is then attached to the affected site. This will help reduce further gum recession and will cover exposed tooth roots. It will also give you a more pleasing appearance.
- Bone grafting: This procedure is done when periodontal disease has destroyed the bone surrounding your tooth root. The bone graft may consist of your own bone or then, bone from another donor, or synthetic bone. This bone graft prevents tooth loss by holding your tooth in place. It also enables the regrowth of natural bone.
- Guided tissue regeneration: In this procedure, your dentist may place a special piece of biocompatible fabric between existing bone and your tooth. This prevents unwanted tissue from entering the area, and allows bone to grow back instead.
- Tissue-stimulating proteins: In this procedure, your dentist will apply a special gel to a diseased tooth root. This gel contains the same proteins found in developing tooth enamel and this stimulates the growth of healthy bone and tissue.
So, now you know why it is imperative that you immediately treat periodontal disease before it affects your overall health. At Vistadent, the multispeciality dental clinic near you, we believe the health of your gums is as important as the health of your teeth.
We use the very latest in treatment procedures, including laser, which minimizes trauma to the tissues, minimizes blood loss and results in faster healing of the surgical site. So, the next time you need to visit an orthodontist for any condition, including periodontal disease, do visit Vistadent, the best dental clinic in Banjara Hills, and receive the best treatment possible.
For more information about periodontal disease or any other dental problems, as well as other dental procedures, contact Vistadent, the Orthodontic Speciality Clinic, at 040-23388111 or +91 9866572482 or at info@vistadent.net or visit our website at http://vistadent.net