Periodontology (Gum Diseases)
Dentistry’s area of periodontology studies disorders and treatments that affect the hard (cementum tissue and bone around the root) and soft (periodontal ligament providing gum and tooth-bone link) structures surrounding your teeth.
The bone in which the teeth are located is not physically attached to them. The periodontal ligament, a tissue made up of fibers that lies between the teeth and the bone, distributes force from the teeth to the jawbone while softening it. Gum covers the periodontal ligament and bone. Periodontology encompasses all of these tissues, which are together referred to as periodontal tissues.
Healthy Gums and Periodontal Tissues
Healthy gums are pale pink, firm and dull. They do not bleed during brushing.
Gum Diseases
Gum diseases are chronic bacterial infections. Gum diseases are infections that should be taken seriously, they can progress without any symptoms for many years and if left untreated, even healthy teeth that do not have decay can lose their support due to loss of periodontal tissue and cause them to shake and fall.
Gum disease begins when bacterial plaque causes inflammation in the gums. This stage is called gingivitis. Swelling of the gums, redness, bleeding when brushing, bad breath are the main complaints of the patient. At this stage, there is inflammation in the gums, but the inflammation has not yet reached the bone supporting the tooth.
Gingivitiste
– The gums bleed when brushing.
– The gums are red and swollen.
– The surface of the gums is shiny and the contours are distorted.
– There is no pain.
If gum disease is not treated at this stage, the next stage is periodontitis. In peiodontitis, theinflammation has now moved into the periodontal ligament and the bone supporting the tooth. Thehealthy gingival groove between the tooth and gum deepens due to inflammation and turns into a periodontal pocket. This pocket creates a favorable environment for bacteria to grow and facilitates theprogression of the disease.
Periodontitis
– The gums bleed when brushing or spontaneously.
– The gums are red and swollen.
– Gums are shiny and their contours are distorted.
– There is bad breath and bad taste in the mouth.
– As the disease progresses, gingival recession occurs and as a result, the sensitive root surface of thetooth is exposed and the teeth become sensitive to heat and cold.
– Unless gum disease is treated, it continues to progress. Teeth start to wobble and gradually moveaway from each other.
Periodontitis
– The gums bleed when brushing or spontaneously.
– The gums are red and swollen.
– Gums are shiny and their contours are distorted.
– There is bad breath and bad taste in the mouth.
– As the disease progresses, gingival recession occurs and as a result, the sensitive rootsurface of the tooth is exposed and the teeth become sensitive to heat and cold.
– Unless gum disease is treated, it continues to progress. Teeth begin to wobble and graduallymove away from each other.
IF TREATMENT IS STILL NOT CARRIED OUT, YOU MAY LOSE YOUR TEETH.
Causes of Gum Diseases
The most important factor in the formation of gum diseases is bacterial plaque. Calcium salts in saliva attach to the teeth through plaque and form tartar. If there is no bacterial plaque, calcium salts cannot attach to the tooth, so tartar cannot form.
Formation of Bacterial Plaque:
– Incorrect and inadequate brushing
– Failure to use auxiliary oral care materials such as dental floss and mouth rinses
– Lack of regular check-ups plays a major role.
In addition, genetic factors, systemic diseases, drug use, pregnancy, stress, unbalanceddiet and smoking are also factors that predispose to gum disease.
Ayrıca, genetik etkenler, sistemik hastalıklar, ilaç kullanımı, hamilelik, stres, dengesiz beslenme ve sigara kullanımı da dişeti hastalığına yatkınlık oluşturan etmenlerdir.
Is it Possible to Prevent Gum Diseases?
The most important task in preventing gum disease falls to the person himself/herself. Since the main factor is bacterial plaque, it is essential to remove plaque with regular oral care. Regular dental check-ups are also important. It may not be possible to remove plaque completely by brushing, in which case calculus forms. With dental check-ups, problems can be diagnosed and prevented at an early stage.