Periodontology – Gum Treatments
Periodontology, also known as the treatment of gum diseases, is a specialty of dentistry that treats diseases of the supporting tissues holding the tooth; gums, jawbone, tissues connecting the tooth to the bone and adjacent tooth surface.
What Causes Gum Disease?
The most important cause of gum disease is a sticky and colorless film called “bacterial dental plaque” that accumulates on the teeth. When teeth are not cleaned properly, the food residues that accumulate on and between them produce bacteria.
If bacterial plaque is not removed, it hardens and forms deposits called calculus or tartar. Removing dental plaque with daily brushing and flossing is a basic requirement for a healthy mouth.
Toxins (harmful substances) produced by bacteria in plaque damage the gums. The toxins break down the support tissues around the gums, move away from the teeth, and more bacterial plaque accumulates in the periodontal pockets that form.
As periodontal disease develops, the pockets become deeper. Bacterial plaque adheres to the
exposed root surfaces of the teeth. The bone support of the teeth is destroyed. Untreated teeth begin to wobble and are eventually lost.
What are the Symptoms of Gum Disease?
- Bleeding
- Bad odor and taste in the mouth,
- Swelling and redness of the gums
- Inflammation between the tooth and gum
- Gingival recession and sensitivity on exposed root surfaces
- Teeth wobbling, elongation, displacement of teeth
- Black areas on the gingival margins or between the teeth due to calculus.
How to Prevent Gum Disease?
You can play an important role in the prevention of periodontal disease. In order to keep your
teeth in your mouth for life, bacterial plaque must be removed from the teeth on a regular daily basis by brushing, flossing and using chemical agents. In addition to the above, regular visits to the dentist for check-ups are extremely important.
Although daily oral care minimizes the formation of tartar, it cannot completely prevent it. Scaling by a dentist removes hardened calculus from areas that you cannot clean with a toothbrush or dental floss.
Your dentist can make a personal oral care plan according to your specific needs. With this program, you can practice brushing and flossing without damaging your teeth and gums.
By visiting the dentist regularly, you can get recommendations from your dentist about oral
health products. There are many types of toothbrushes, floss, mouthwashes and interdental cleaners on the market. Your dentist will help you choose the most suitable products for you.
What is the Treatment of Gum Diseases?
In the early stages of dental disease, treatment involves the removal of attachments (plaque and calculus) and the maintenance of a smooth root surface. This removes bacteria and irritants that cause inflammation in the gums. Usually this treatment is sufficient for the gum to adapt to the tooth again or for the gum to shrink and the pocket to be eliminated.
In the majority of cases in the early stage of gum disease, scaling, removal of plaque and maintenance of a smooth root surface followed by effective daily oral care is sufficient for successful treatment. More advanced cases may require surgical treatment. The aim of this treatment is to remove calculus from the deep periodontal pockets surrounding the teeth, to shrink and eliminate the pocket, to provide a smooth root surface and to create a gingival form that can be cleaned more easily.
After periodontal treatment, patients should be regularly examined by the dentist, plaque control and removal of new calculus deposits. However, it is important to remember that no procedure can be more beneficial for maintaining what has been achieved with periodontal treatment than the effective implementation of daily oral care procedures.