If your gums appear loose around the necks of your teeth crowns, you may think you have gingivitis or mild gum disease. Although gingivitis affects your gum tissue, the condition doesn't loosen up your gums. However, advanced gum disease, periodontitis, does loosen up your gums. Although periodontitis is one of the most destructive forms of periodontal disease, you can still treat it. Here's how periodontitis affects your gums and how you can treat it.
What's Periodontitis?
Many adults suffer from some type of gum disease, periodontal disease, including gingivitis. Gingivitis develops when bacteria inflames or irritates the gum tissue surrounding your teeth crowns. If a dentist diagnoses and treats gingivitis right away, they can reverse the condition, and prevent it from progressing further. But if gingivitis goes undetected or treated, it can become periodontitis.
Unlike gingivitis, periodontitis can affect both the soft and hard tissues in your mouth. The condition creates small pockets around the gumline. The pockets contain bacteria-filled plaque, particles of food, and mucus. All of these things can spread to the roots of your teeth and jawbone.
As periodontitis progresses, the pockets of gum tissue expand and recede around your teeth crowns. Eventually, your teeth loosen in their sockets and fall out. The only way to prevent tooth loss is to clean out the pockets.
How Do You Treat Advanced Gum Disease?
Although you can rinse out the gum pockets yourself, it's best to see a dentist for periodontics care. A dentist will generally use special tools to remove the plaque from the pockets. A dental provider will also measure the pockets to see if they're large enough to loosen your teeth. If the pockets are 6 millimeters or more, a dentist will work to reduce them.
You may undergo several periodontal treatments to improve the condition of your gums, including pocket reduction surgery. The surgery removes excess gum tissue from around your teeth crowns. A dentist may also use the surgery to reshape your gums, so they fit better around your teeth.
After treatment, you can take better care of your gums by eating healthier foods, such as fresh vegetables and lean protein. These types of food contain vitamins and nutrients that keep your teeth and gums strong. Also, brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush, to avoid irritating or wearing down your gums. A dentist will generally provide home care instructions for you to follow, once you leave the office.
For more information about advanced gum disease and how to treat it, contact a dentist today.
Share29 January 2018
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