Gum disease, scientifically known as Periodontal disease, affects your gum’s surrounding tissue as well as your underlying jawbone. It can range from easily-treatable and mild to severe and requiring a whole new set of teeth. Periodontal disease is the biggest cause of lost teeth worldwide.
Periodontal disease starts to when toxins from plaque attack the gingival tissue around your teeth. It is a progressive condition that grows more serious once the bacterium latches itself in the gum, and here finds the perfect breeding ground.
Types of Periodontal Disease
Gingivitis
This is the mildest type of gum disease. The treatment is straightforward and the condition easily curable. People susceptible to Gingivitis include steroid users, people taking medication for seizures, women taking birth control and people chronically taking narcotics that cause a dry mouth.
Treatment– Your dentist will most likely suggest a combination of at home care and professional cleaning. You may need to undergo root planning and/or deep scaling procedures to remove any debris lingering in the nooks and crannies of your teeth.
Chronic Periodontal Disease (CPD)
CPD is the most common form of periodontal diseases though it is more common in people over 45. Symptoms include inflammation around the gum line and the deterioration of the bone and gingival tissue. Many report that their teeth appear to be growing in length – in actual fact this is your gums slowly recessing.
Treatment – CPD, unlike Gingivitis, cannot be totally cured as your supportive tissues can’t be rebuilt. What can be done? Your dentist can stall the progression of CPD by conducting a scale and polish. If necessary, you can also have pocket reduction surgery as well as tissue grafts which will strengthen the surrounding bone and appearance.
Aggressive Periodontal Disease (APD)
This is characterised by the rapid loss of gum attachment and bone tissue.
It is the same as CPD however, the progression of the disease occurs much faster. The disease can be inherited – those with a family history of smoking are much prone at risk to developing it.
Treatment– The treatment for APD is much the same as for CPD, though APD sufferers are more likely to need surgical intervention.
Periodontal Disease in Relation to Overall health conditions
Periodontal disease can be a symptom of another existing disease or condition.
Treatment – Treat the underlying problem to eliminate the periodontal complications as they are a by product of a more serious condition.
Necrotising Periodontal Disease (NPD)
NPD is more common amongst those who have HIV, malnutrition or chronic stress. ‘Necrosis’ refers to death tissue, affecting the alveolar bone, periodontal ligament and gingival tissues.
Treatment – Thankfully, NPD is very rare. Your dentist is likely to consult a doctor before deciding and beginning treatment. Antibiotics, root planning, scaling and medical mouth wash are amongst the treatments that you may undergo for NPD.