Periodontal disease {gum disease}, sometimes referred to as "pyorrhoea" is a condition which destroys the soft tissue and surrounding bone which support teeth. The cause is plaque, a white film of food and bacteria which accumulates on the teeth over a period of 24 hours if your teeth are not properly cleaned.
You can feel plaque with your tongue when your teeth are not clean. If not removed, plaque hardens to form calculus (tartar) which is not removed by brushing or flossing. Even a clean mouth can build up some tartar which can only be removed by a dentist or hygienist.
The initial stage of this disease is called gingivitis, which simply means inflammation of the gums. If left untreated it progresses to periodontal disease, the difference being that the supporting bone is being destroyed.
Over time the teeth become stripped of their supporting tissue (gums and bone), often resulting in loose and sore teeth which need to be extracted. Most important is that this disease usually progresses without the individual's awareness since the symptoms are not always obvious.
Your dentist and hygienist will check for signs of this disease during your regular check-up and cleaning. The two main ways to diagnose periodontal disease are by x-ray images and periodontal probing. You can start by looking for the following signs and symptoms:
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1. Red swolen gums
2. Bleeding gums
3. Receding gums
4. Loose teeth
5. Migrating teeth
6. Bad breath
7. Bad taste
8. Spacing between teeth
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In addition to plaque, a number of other factors can adversely affect gum disease. Smoking is probably the worse irritant. Most heavy smokers do not respond well to treatment.
Hormonal changes occurring during teenage years, pregnancy or from the use of oral contraceptives can have influences which can cause gingivitis.
Furthermore some diseases such as diabetes, liver cirrhosis, anemia, leukemia, as well as radiation treatment for cancer can have dramatic effects on the health of your gums.
Finally some good news! With today's state-of-the-art treatments, a very high percentage of periodontal disease can be treated successfully.
Visit your dentist regularly for preventative maintenance and you are likely to have your teeth for a lifetime.
This diagram shows normal gums and surrounding bone.
This diagram shows the beginning of gingivitis; the gums are inflamed and red. Many patients would notice some bleeding and puffiness of the gums
This diagram shows the progression to periodontitis which occurs when gingivitis is not treated. The difference is the advanced bone loss. At this stage the teeth may become loose and may even drift. Unfortunately, many patients get to this stage without realizing it, and eventually may lose some or all of their teeth.
