Gum Disease 101: What Is Periodontitis (and How Can I Prevent It?)

What is periodontitis?
Periodontitis is a gum infection. It comes from bacteria that is growing on your teeth and gums. If the infection is not treated, permanent damage can occur to your teeth and gums. It is important to see your dentist every six months to detect periodontitis early. Once detected, it is possible to provide treatment early and with excellent oral hygiene, damage can be prevented. 

Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the early stage of periodontitis. It is the infection and inflammation occurring in your gums. Sometimes, if you seen bleeding after flossing and brushing, that is a sign you have early gingivitis. 

Gingivitis comes from plaque, Plaque is a yellow whitish layer of buildup on your teeth. It is where food is left on your teeth and bacteria grows within the plaque. If plaque isn't thoroughly clean off via brushing and flossing everyday after meals, and regular cleanings with the dentist aren't scheduled, the bacteria will flourish and cause gingivitis.

Periodontitis 
Gingivitis then proceeds to early periodontitis. In this stage, gums start to recede, and small gaps between the teeth that look like triangular spaces start to form. As the gum recedes, it also pulls away from the tooth and form pockets. The pockets are also spaces were bacteria can thrive. The bacteria is a source of constant infection and as your body battles the infection, generalized inflammation develops and persists. This persistent inflammation leads to more loss of gum tissue and eventually the bone that holds teeth in disappears as well. When your dentist discusses bone loss, this is the area that they are talking about. Without enough bone to hold the teeth in, this is how some people can lose their teeth. 

If the periodontal disease becomes advanced, the person could have pain when they eat, not to mention bad breath and constant  bad taste. 

Continued infection can also affect your health as it leads to full body inflammation. 
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How do you know if you have periodontitis?
You know you have periodontitis if you:

• have bleeding gums after brushing and floss
• if your teeth are loose or seem to move on their own after a while
• bad breath
• small triangle spaces between your teeth
• gum recession
• observe plaque and calculus 
• when it hurts when you eat
• persistent bad breath or taste
• dark red gums
• swollen gums

How Do You Get Periodontitis?

The plaque and calculus that develop on your teeth everyday harbors the bacteria that causes periodontitis. If that plaque and calculus isn't thoroughly cleaned off everyday with brushing and flossing and dental cleanings aren't scheduled on a regular basis, that bacteria will create gum disease. 

Maintaining a clean mouth on a daily basis will prevent gum disease aka periodontitis. 

Higher Risk Groups
Some people tend to be at risk of developing periodontitis as well. People that:

• smoke
• have diabetes
• are obese
• are pregnant
• may have immunocompromised systems
• are taking medicines that cause dry mouth, the lack of saliva can alter the pH in our mouths that make it more prone to periodontal disease
• genes
• vitamin C deficient

Dental Visits
Seeing your dentist regularly is important to treat periodontal disease and to also make sure that it doesn't get worse. 

Dentists keep track of your periodontal status by checking the pocket depths in your gums with a probe. The dentist will also be able to check for and remove any calculus that is growing under the gumline. 

If needed, they may also refer to a gum specialist, known as a periodontist, for evaluation and any treatment. 

Effects of Long Term Periodontitis

• lose teeth
  
• develop abscesses and pus
  
• teeth may move on their own due to lack of bone support
• gum recession can lead to the roots of the teeth being exposed which can greatly increase sensitivity
• the chronic generalized inflammation can increase risk of heart disease, diabetes complications, respiratory disease and complications during pregnancy. 

Treatment
After being diagnosed with periodontitis, first step is to have your dentist remove the plaque and bacteria. A deep cleaning that involves scaling and root planing will clean off the calculus and remove the bacteria. An antibiotic treatment may be recommended as well to curb bacteria growth. Evaluation appointment may be scheduled as needed to monitor the improvement. 

The next step is to practice excellent oral hygiene at home to prevent bacterial regrowth. Brushing after every meal, to keep teeth clean and plaque free throughout the day. Investment in an electric toothbrush may help with the hard to reach areas. Flossing throughout at bedtime is necessary to ensure that the teeth are clean during that period you are sleeping. Plan regular visits to the dentist at least every six months and not smoking or using chew tobacco will ensure healthy gums. 
  
As long as if periodontitis is caught early on,  regular appointments with the dentist are kept and excellent hygiene habits are kept up at home, gum treatment can have great success. Good maintenance and having regular dental visits will keep periodontitis at bay.