Gum diseases (also known as periodontal diseases) are infectious diseases that affect the gums and tissues that support the teeth. Research shows that the majority of tooth losses are caused by gum diseases. These diseases do not cause noticeable symptoms until they reach a very advanced stage. Therefore, early diagnosis is important for the success of treatment. These diseases are generally slowly progressing, painless diseases that can be observed in children, growing individuals, adults and the elderly, and are one of the most common health problems in the world today, making it almost impossible to ignore their effects on general body health, which are beginning to be better understood.
What are the Types of Gum Diseases?
Healthy gums are light pink in color, matte, and have a rough and hard consistency like an orange peel. Healthy gums do not bleed with brushing or touching.
Gingivitis is called 'gingivitis' when it is limited only to the gum tissue surrounding the tooth. When gingivitis develops, the gums are redder, edematous (swollen), shiny and soft. Bleeding in the gums may occur during brushing or consuming hard foods. It is the mildest type of periodontal disease and is mostly painless.
When gingival inflammation affects the gums, jawbone, fibers holding the teeth and the root surface, it is called 'periodontitis'. The fibers that first connect the gum to the tooth and then connect the root of the tooth to the jawbone melt, thus creating a space called "pocket" between the gum and the tooth. More bacteria, bacterial toxins and food residues accumulate in the pocket, thus the infection spreads to the deep tissues and resorption is observed in the bone supporting the tooth.
The most common type of periodontitis is 'adult periodontitis'. They are slowly progressive diseases that are generally observed in adults. In adult periodontitis, loosening, displacement and/or spacing of teeth can be observed due to bone destruction. Gums are dark red, edematous and shiny. Gums become looser due to increased pocket depths and edema in the gums. and has a soft structure. In some patients, gum recession may occur following bone destruction and may lead to aesthetic defects. At the same time, tooth sensitivity may develop on the root surfaces exposed by gum recession. Bad breath may be observed due to food deposits and dental plaque in the mouth becoming more difficult to clean and gingival inflammation.
Another less common type of periodontitis is 'Aggressive periodontitis'. These are periodontal diseases that usually occur in young adults and cause rapidly progressive and severe bone destruction. The amount of plaque and tartar is less than in adult periodontitis. A familial predisposition may be observed. All or some of the teeth in the mouth may be affected.
Periodontitis is also seen as a symptom of some genetic and blood diseases. This group of periodontal diseases occurs at an early age. Bone destruction and tooth loss may occur due to rapidly and severely progressing periodontitis.
Necrotizing periodontal diseases are generally seen in individuals with suppressed immune systems, intense stress, smokers and poor oral care. Some areas of the gums are covered with a yellow-greyish layer and are painful. They are more common during seasonal transitions.
Gival abscesses may occur when foreign objects such as toothpicks or hard food pieces get stuck in the gums. The gums appear red and edematous.
What are the Causes of Gum Diseases?
The most important cause of gum disease is the toothbrush and dental floss not being used properly and regularly. - Accumulations called "microbial dental plaque" containing millions of bacteria and the toxins produced by them accumulate on the gum surfaces and between the teeth. These can directly or indirectly affect the body's defense mechanism and cause destruction in the bone tissue that supports the gums and teeth. Factors such as crooked teeth, gaps between teeth, some anatomical formations in the teeth, some soft tissue anomalies, cavities, overflowing or incomplete fillings, faulty dentures, mouth breathing and dry mouth also make it easier for plaque bacteria to attach to surfaces, leading to gum disease.
Other causes that contribute to the formation of Gum Disease:
Smoking
Studies show that smoking affects the development and progression of periodontal disease. has shown that it may be a very important risk factor. Gum bleeding does not occur because smoking reduces vascularity. For this reason, individuals usually consult dentists with complaints of loosening and displacement of teeth in the advanced stages of gum disease. Smoking also negatively affects the success of gum treatments.
Genetics
Some studies have shown that there may be a genetic predisposition to gum disease. Even though their oral care is good, the likelihood and severity of disease may be higher in these individuals than in other individuals, and tooth loss may occur at an early age. The teeth of these individuals have the chance to remain in the mouth for a longer period of time with frequent and regular checks by the periodontist.
Stress
Stress is also a risk factor for gum disease. has been revealed in studies. It is known that the immune system is negatively affected due to the release of various chemicals in the body in the presence of stress. Periods of distress, sadness or stress increase the susceptibility to gum disease.
Drugs
Some medications used for blood pressure, epilepsy and after organ transplantation may cause enlargement of the gums. These can create areas that are difficult to clean by the individual and increase the risk of developing gum disease. Dry mouth may occur as a side effect of some medications used to treat depression and some birth control medications, and this may lead to the development of gum disease.
Teeth clenching and grinding
In the presence of gum disease, excessive and continuous forces on the teeth cause destruction of the tissues supporting the teeth and may increase the severity of gum disease. Teeth clenching or grinding habits can therefore accelerate the development of gum disease and cause tooth loss.
Hormonal Changes
Due to the changes in hormones during these special periods, changes occur in the gum tissue, as in many tissues in the body. An increase in the body's response to infections may result in the easier development of gum diseases and their rapid destruction. If oral care is not sufficient, the severity of gingivitis increases and aesthetic and functional problems occur.
The presence of both milk teeth and permanent teeth in the mouth during the mixed dentition period, where milk teeth change, can cause difficulties during brushing and increase plaque accumulation. The habit of breathing through the mouth, which is more common during this period, can also cause the development of gum disease, especially in the front teeth area.
During pregnancy, hormonal changes intensify the body's defense response and can increase the rate of development of periodontal disease. Especially in individuals with periodontal disease that has not been treated since the pre-pregnancy period, destruction due to gum disease can be observed more severely due to the effect of hormonal changes. In addition, during pregnancy, regional, bleeding gingival growths may develop on the gums, and these growths may make oral care difficult.
The risk of developing gum disease may increase in individuals during menopause and may have a more severe course.
Endocrine. Diseases
Diabetes can affect the development of gum disease. In these patients, susceptibility to infection, defense mechanism and metabolic changes due to the disease can lead to the development of gum disease and severe destruction in a short time (especially in uncontrolled diabetes). Gum abscesses are also frequently observed in patients with diabetes. Increased gum disease and destruction are also observed in obese (fat) individuals.
Inadequate nutrition
Inadequate and malnutrition negatively affects the body's immune system, making it difficult to fight infections. Gum diseases are also serious infections, and in case of malnutrition, the severity of gingivitis may increase.
What are the symptoms of Gum Disease?
Gum diseases usually do not show symptoms until they reach advanced stages. The first symptom is bleeding. If there is spontaneous bleeding, the problem may have progressed. The following findings are observed in untreated and advanced gum disease.
A constant bad odor in the mouth
Bleeding gums during brushing
Swelling, redness and sensitivity in the gums
Recession in the gums
Shaking of the teeth, gaps between the teeth
Inflammation between the tooth and the gum
Differences in the contact of the teeth while biting.
>Treatment of Gum Diseases
Gum diseases are diseases whose development can be largely prevented and controlled. To ensure the success of the treatment, the patient must cooperate with the physician, follow the recommendations exactly, come to the treatments on time, and not disrupt the maintenance treatments.
Treatments are carried out according to the degree of destruction of the disease, the amount of tartar, the general health status of the patient and the degree of oral care applied by the patient. or can be completed in a few sessions.
The aim of gingival treatments is to eliminate gingival inflammation and the factors that cause it and to create a healthy periodontal structure. With treatments for inflammation, gum bleeding, edema, pocket depths and the degree of loosening of the teeth, etc. A decrease in symptoms and/or complete recovery is observed. The reduction or elimination of these symptoms is the most obvious indicator that the gum disease treatment has been successful and the destruction has been controlled or stopped.
Gum treatments are mechanical treatments that begin with scaling. Then, the treatment of caries lesions that increase plaque retention, overflowing or missing fillings, and incompatibilities in prostheses is completed. Adjustments are made by checking the position of loose teeth, teeth that have shifted due to bone loss and/or tooth extraction, in the chewing plane.
Due to its importance in the development and treatment of gum disease, the habits of individuals are evaluated during the gum treatment process. Studies are carried out to help people quit smoking. P.
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