Signs and Symptoms
1. Gums bleeding when you brush your
teeth. Even a little bleeding is not normal. If you have a "pink"
toothbrush, see your periodontist.
2. Red, swollen or tender gums.
3. Detachment of the gums from the teeth.
4. Pus that appears from the gumline when the gums are pressed.
5. Teeth that have become loose or have changed position.
6. Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite.
7. Any change in the fit of partial dentures.
8. Chronic bad breath or bad taste.
Periodontal disease is diagnosed by your dentist or dental hygienist during a periodontal examination. This type of exam should always be part of your regular dental check-up.
A periodontal probe (small dental instrument) is
gently used to measure the sulcus (pocket or space) between the tooth
and the gums. The depth of a healthy sulcus measures three millimeters
or less and does not bleed. The periodontal probe helps indicate if
pockets are deeper than three millimeters. As periodontal disease
progresses, the pockets usually get deeper.
There are actually several types of periodontal
disease. all are started by a bacterial infection that destroys the
gums, bone and ligaments supporting the teeth. Periodontal disease
progresses silently, often without pain or overt symptoms that would
alert you to its presence. It may develop slowly or quite rapidly.
Your dentist or hygienist will use pocket
depths, amount of bleeding, inflammation, tooth mobility, etc., to make a
diagnosis that will fall into a category below:
NORMAL, HEALTHY GINGIVA
Healthy gums and bone anchor teeth firmly in place.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the first stage of
periodontal disease. Plaque and its toxin by-products irritate the
gums, making them tender, inflamed, and likely to bleed.
Periodontitis
Plaque hardens into calculus (tartar). As
calculus and plaque continue to build up, the gums begin to recede from
the teeth. Deeper pockets form between the gums and teeth and become
filled with bacteria and pus. The gums become very irritated, inflamed,
and bleed easily.Slight to moderate bone loss may be present.
Advanced Periodontitis
The teeth lose more support as the gums,
bone, and periodontal ligament continue to be destroyed. Unless
treated, the affected teeth will become very loose and may be lost.
Generalized moderate to severe bone loss may be present.
Despite unparalled advances in
dentistry and breakthroughs in research, periodontal disease remains a
serious dental health problem. Nine out of 10 people are afflicted by it
in the course of their lives. Responsible for considerable tooth loss
in adults, periodontal disease currently affects about three out of four
adults over the age of 40.