Heather Lawson-Myers - TOOTH TALK PERIODONTAL DISEASE is inflammation of the soft and hard tissues surrounding the teeth, the soft tissue - the gums and the hard tissue under the gums- the bone form that support the teeth. Plaque, the soft, sticky substance that adheres to your teeth, causes a bacterial infection of the supporting tissue. The infection and your body's response to it result in Gum Disease. Plaque is easily brushed and flossed away on a daily basis; however, since most of us do not routinely floss, an accumulation of plaque is common in between the teeth. Persons not using a soft toothbrush will also have plaque retained, as a toothbrush with medium or hard bristles is not flexible enough to slide around the sides of the teeth and slightly below the gum line. Dental plaque that has not been removed ultimately becomes a hard substance known as calculus that cannot be brushed nor flossed away.
A very large percent of the adult population has some form of gum disease, but the majority do not realise it. In the early stages of gum disease - known as Gingivitis - the condition is reversible, however that is not so in the later stages. Therefore the earlier it is detected the better the prognosis. In the early to moderate stages the disease is painless and may therefore go undetected for years. Once the infection involves the bone the condition results in permanent damage. Bone that has been lost because of periodontal disease does not regenerate. In the advanced stages of periodontal disease tooth loss is inevitable.
Routine dental visits will result in early detection which is the key to successful treatment. A simple periodontal examination and specific X-rays will assist the dental provider in determining the presence of and degree of the disease.
The treatment (subgingival scaling and root planning) consists of professional in-office care that detoxifies the tooth surface below the gumline and in between the teeth. Then a medicine will be used to flush out the bacteria that caused the infection. Oral medication may also be prescribed. This is the one aspect of dental treatment that requires a partnership between the dentist and the patient. Despite the treatment rendered during the dental visit, if you are not vigilant with proper brushing and flossing at home, the disease will not be controlled. Plaque is retained in the mouth daily, and if it is not removed thoroughly on a daily basis, deterioration of the tissues will ensue.
Warning signs of periodontal disease include gums that bleed when you brush and or floss your teeth; red, swollen or tender gums that have pulled away from teeth; pus between teeth and gums when gums are pressed; permanent teeth, loose or separating; change in the way your teeth fit when biting; any change in the fit of partial dentures and persistent bad breath. If one or more of these warning signs apply to you, please bring it to the attention of your dentist as soon as possible.
Dr. Heather-Dawn Lawson Myers is the President of the Jamaica Dental Association
