About this topic
Swelling and infection of the tissues around your teeth is called periodontal disease. Some people have problems with their gums. Others have problems with the bones that support their teeth. You may also have trouble with both the gums and the bones. This is a common issue. Not caring for your teeth properly is the main cause of periodontal disease. Good teeth and mouth care may help prevent this problem. ‚
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What are the causes?
Plaque is a sticky material made of germs and tiny bits of food. It is all throughout your mouth. You brush and floss to get rid of plaque. If you dont get rid of it, plaque can become a hard deposit called tartar. You may need a professional dental cleaning to remove the tartar. ‚
Both plaque and tartar can irritate your gums. Irritation and swelling of the gums is called gingivitis. This problem can go below the gum line into deeper tissues and bones. Then, the gums may pull away from the teeth. This is called periodontitis. As the germs go deeper, they can start to destroy tissue and bone. You can lose your teeth due to periodontitis. ‚
What can make this more likely to happen?
- Causes from life-style choices:
- Poor mouth care
- Smoking or using tobacco
- Stress
- Causes you may not have control over:
- Family history
- Mouth problems like crooked teeth
- Bad fillings or bridges that no longer fit right
- Taking drugs that cause dry mouth or inflammation of the gum tissue
- Diseases like diabetes or those that give you a weak immune system like HIV
- Hormone changes from pregnancy or taking birth control pills
- Older age, most often after 30 or 40
What are the main signs?
- Red, swollen, tender gums
- Gums that bleed easily
- Bad breath or bad taste in mouth
- Sensitive or loose teeth
- Gums pull away from teeth making teeth look longer
- Change in how your teeth fit together when you bite
- Change in how false teeth fit
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
Your dentist will do an exam of your mouth. Your dentist will use a special tool in between the gums and teeth to check for bleeding and measure the level of inflammation, if any. Your dentist may order x-rays of your teeth. ‚
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
Professional teeth cleaning and regular check-ups are treatments for mild cases. More serious cases may need surgery. This will help to clean tartar out of deep pockets. You may even need bone or tissue grafts. ‚
Sometimes, your general dentist may send you to a periodontist. This is a gum tissue specialist who treats these types of conditions. ‚
Are there other health problems to treat?
People with gum disease are more likely to have other problems like: ‚
- Heart disease
- Blood sugar problems
- Preterm or low birth weight babies
What drugs may be needed?
The dentist may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
- Fight an infection
What problems could happen?
If the condition is left untreated: ‚
- Loose teeth or loss of teeth
- Bleeding gums
- Ongoing bad breath
- Abscess ¢ ˆ ’ pocket of pus
- Open sores in mouth
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Brush your teeth at least 2 times each day to get rid of plaque. Use fluoride toothpaste. Try using an electric toothbrush to remove plaque from the teeth. It may work better in hard to reach places than a regular toothbrush.
- Floss each day. Use regular floss or dental picks. Ask your dentist which tools will work best for you.
- See your dentist 1 to 2 times each year for a professional cleaning and check-up. You may need to go more often if you are having problems. People with periodontal disease may also need to go more often.
- Eat a healthy diet. Avoid sugary foods, drinks, and sodas. Limit snacking. If you do snack, make healthy choices such as low-fat dairy products or vegetables.
- Do not smoke or use tobacco products. If you do smoke, talk with your dentist about trying to quit.
- Take extra care of your teeth and gums when pregnant. Studies have shown that pregnant women with gum disease are more likely to have preterm, low birth weight babies. Your gums may be more prone to inflammation during your pregnancy.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, a sore that will not heal, swelling, redness, warmth around the gums; too much pain when touched; pus coming out of the gums.
- Heavy bleeding of the gums
- Bad breath that will not go away with brushing and flossing
- Loose teeth
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Where can I learn more?
Mouth Healthy ‚
http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/p/Periodoncia ‚
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research ‚
http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/NR/rdonlyres/7B7D24C2-02E5-47C8-B076-27CB580FAF82/0/PeriodontalGum_Eng.pdf ‚
National Institutes of Health ‚
http://nihseniorhealth.gov/periodontaldisease/whatisgumperiodontaldisease/01.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚