In the early stages, called gingivitis, good oral hygiene can reverse some changes and prevent progression to periodontitis. Without treatment, the tissue and bone around the teeth deteriorates, and the pockets get deeper. CDC works with key partners to improve and sustain the surveillance of gum disease in the adult U.S. population and to work towards integrating medical and dental care.
Smoking, poor diet, certain medical conditions (like diabetes), and genetics all increase the risk of developing periodontitis. Preventative procedures include daily brushing, regular dental cleanings, and the use of mouthwash.
Periodontal Disease Symptoms
Symptoms of periodontitis include red, swollen gums that bleed easily. Gum tissue can also pull away from the teeth, forming pockets that trap food and bacteria. The bacteria eat away at the bone and tissue that hold the teeth in place. This can cause the teeth to become loose. If left untreated, the infection can spread from the mouth to the rest of the body, causing serious illness.
The first stage of periodontitis, gingivitis, is usually painless. Gingivitis is reversible with good oral hygiene and regular dental cleanings at intervals recommended by your dentist. Infection in the deeper pockets between the teeth and gums can cause bad breath (halitosis). The pockets may also fill with pus, a sign of infection. Advanced periodontitis causes teeth to become loose and can eventually fall out.
Diagnosis
Gum disease is a bacterial infection that destroys the bone and tissue that hold teeth in place. It starts with gum inflammation (gingivitis), which is red, swollen and may bleed easily when brushed or flossed. Untreated, the bacteria get underneath the gums and form pockets where they grow and produce toxins that attack the teeth and the bone supporting them. The teeth become loose and may fall out.
The first step in diagnosis is to complete a comprehensive dental examination by your dentist or hygienist, including taking new x-rays and discussing key personal information such as any medical conditions you have and medications you take. It is important to visit your dentist on a regular basis and follow the recommendations for brushing, flossing and rinsing with mouthwash.
During the examination, your hygienist or dentist will use a probe to measure the depth of the pockets around the teeth. Deeper pockets are a sign of periodontitis, the irreversible advanced stage of gum disease that results in bone loss, tooth mobility and loss and eventual tooth loss.
Treatment
Brushing and flossing removes the bacteria that cause gum disease. But if you don’t brush and floss effectively, the bacteria can build up again, forming a sticky film of bacteria called plaque. If left untreated, plaque hardens into tartar (also known as calculus), which cannot be removed with toothbrushing and requires professional treatment. Tartar contributes to the destruction of soft tissue and bone that supports teeth, resulting in periodontitis.
In the advanced stages of periodontitis, gums recede or pull away from teeth and pockets form between teeth and gums. These pockets harbor harmful bacteria that cause more inflammation and destroy tissue and bone. Periodontitis can lead to tooth loss, which can affect your ability to eat, speak and smile. It can also contribute to other health problems, such as heart disease (because bacterial toxins in the mouth can enter bloodstream and damage arteries), respiratory diseases like pneumonia and septicemia, diabetes complications, and preterm labor for pregnant women.
Prevention
The best way to prevent periodontitis is regular dental cleanings every six months, along with good oral hygiene at home. This includes brushing your teeth twice daily, flossing regularly (and correctly), and using an antibacterial mouthwash. Avoiding sugary and acidic foods can also help prevent the growth of bacteria that cause plaque.
The bacteria from plaque biofilm spread below the gumline and destroy tissue and bone, causing periodontitis. Untreated, it can lead to serious health problems like stroke, heart disease, diabetes, respiratory diseases, and more.
In addition to our regular dental cleanings, we can perform advanced treatments like scaling and root planing or laser assisted new attachment procedure to reduce bacteria, promote healing, and prevent future damage. We can even fold back the gum tissue to get rid of bacteria and infected tissue that is hiding under the gumline, which we call pocket reduction surgery. The earlier gum disease is detected, the easier it is to treat and reverse.