When teeth are not cleaned properly, food residues that accumulate on and between them produce bacteria. These pus-like deposits, which we call bacterial plaque, are the chief culprit of dental caries and gingivitis, and over time, they form tartar as a result of the precipitation of saliva. Microorganisms that reproduce inside the bacterial plaque break down sugary foods and produce acid. And this acid decays the tooth, starting in a small area and growing. At a later stage, shooting may be inevitable. The first sign of gingivitis is bleeding in the gums. It manifests itself even more with color, deformities and bad breath in the gums. Tooth loss caused by gingivitis is much more than tooth loss caused by caries.
First of all, it should be noted that healthy gingiva is light pink in color. It is firmly adhered to the tooth and bone and has a shiny – rough appearance similar to an orange peel.
Symptoms of Gum Disease:
• The first and most common gum disease The main symptom is gingival bleeding. Healthy gingiva does not bleed
• If there is swelling and redness in the gums,
• If there is recession in the gums and sensitivity on the exposed root surfaces,
• On the gingival margins or teeth If there are black areas between the teeth due to tartar,
• If there is inflammation between the tooth and the gingiva,
• If the teeth are wobbly, elongated and there are openings between the teeth,
• If there is a constant feeling of bad odor and bad taste in the mouth,
it should be examined by a dentist without delay. What Causes Gum Disease?
The main cause of gum disease is bacterial plaque, a sticky transparent layer that is firmly attached to the tooth. You can notice plaque by scraping your teeth with your fingernail. One milligram of plaque contains between 200 and 500 million bacteria. In addition, the following factors also affect your gingival health.
• GENETIC FACTORS According to researches, there is a 30% genetic predisposition. In addition, the possibility of developing gum disease with poor oral care. It increases 6 times more. If there is a person in the family with a gum problem, you should definitely be examined by a gum specialist.
• SMOKING As we all know, smoking causes many important diseases such as cancer, lung and heart diseases. . Apart from all these, it is also very harmful for the oral mucosa and gums. It causes softening of the gums and the development of gum diseases.
• MEDICATION USE Birth control pills, anti-depressants, heart medications affect your oral health. Therefore, if you are using one of these drugs, please warn your dentist and give importance to your oral hygiene.
• HORMONEAL CHANGES Your oral hygiene is also important during periods of intense hormonal changes such as pregnancy, puberty, menopause, and menstruation. you need to take care. Your gums will be more sensitive during these periods. Susceptibility to gum disease increases.
• STRESS In addition to being one of the causes of many diseases such as hypertension and cancer, it is also a risk factor for gum diseases. Research has shown that stress, including periodontal diseases, makes it difficult for the body to fight infection.
• CLEARING OR GRINDING THE TEETH They cause periodontal tissue destruction by causing a decrease in the strength between the tooth and the gingiva. One of the reasons for receding gums is clenching teeth. This squeezing must be stopped by wearing a night plate.
• DIABETES-DIABETIC DISEASE Diabetes patients are in the high risk group in terms of periodontal (gum) infection. They should definitely pay attention to their oral hygiene by having a gingival specialist (periodontologist) do their routine gingival controls. >
• Healthy Teeth and Gums
If the bacterial plaque is not removed, it hardens and calculus is formed. Also, deposits called tartar form. Toxins (harmful substances) produced by bacteria in plaque damage the gums. Toxins wash the supporting tissues around the gums, move away from the teeth, and more bacterial plaque accumulates in the formed periodontal pockets. As periodontal disease develops, the pockets become deeper. Bacterial plaque adheres to the exposed root surfaces of the teeth. The bony support of the teeth is lost and untreated teeth begin to wobble and eventually recede. What are the other factors that cause gum diseases?
The main cause of periodontal diseases is bacterial plaque, but other factors can affect the health of your gums
Nutrition and tobacco use affect your oral health. A diet low in nutritional value reduces the body's ability to fight diseases. Also, stress can affect the body's ability to ward off disease. Tobacco users irritate their gums more than non-smokers. Diseases that affect the body's defense system such as leukemia and AIDS can worsen the condition of the gums. In cases where people are very susceptible to infection, such as uncontrolled diabetes, gum disease is usually much more severe and more difficult to control. makes them more susceptible to An existing gum disease in its early stages may become more severe, especially during pregnancy.
Birth control pills, antidepressants, and some heart medications can affect your oral health.
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Report the smallest changes in your general health to your dentist.
How is gum disease diagnosed?
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When dentists suspect the general appearance of the gums, they measure the length of the gingival pocket between the tooth and the gingiva with an instrument called a periodontal probe. Periodontal examination should be performed as part of every intraoral examination in adults. X-rays to evaluate the bone tissue around the teeth How can it be protected from gingival diseases?
You can play an important role in the prevention of periodontal diseases. In order to keep your teeth in the mouth for life, the bacterial plaque should be removed from the teeth by brushing and flossing regularly every day with chemical agents. It is extremely important to visit your doctor regularly and have check-ups. Although daily oral care keeps the formation of calculus to a minimum, it cannot completely prevent it. Teeth cleaning by a dentist; It ensures that the hardened tartar in the areas that you cannot clean with toothbrush and dental floss is removed from the environment. Removal of calculus is called tartar cleaning. Your dentist can create a personal oral care plan based on your specific needs. With this program, you can practice brushing and flossing without damaging your teeth and gums. There are many types of toothbrushes, dental floss, mouthwashes and interdental cleaners on the market. Your dentist will help you choose the most suitable products for you.
The treatment of gum diseases in the early stages is scaling and root surface straightening. At these stages, bacterial deposits and tartar are removed from the pockets around the teeth and the root surfaces are smoothed. With these processes, bacteria and toxin substances that cause inflammation are removed from the mouth.
Surgical intervention may be required in more advanced cases. The purpose of surgical intervention; It is to remove the calculus and diseased tissues in the deep pockets, to flatten the root surfaces and to shape the gums for easy cleaning so that healing can occur.
After the treatments, periodontal patients should be seen periodically. The only way to maintain the positive results obtained with periodontal treatment is to brush the teeth, to use dental floss regularly and to use chemical agents that remove bacterial deposits from the environment. is to be mentioned. And the most important thing is to have your check-up at intervals recommended by the dentist.
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