GUM DISEASES (Periodontal Diseases)
What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal diseases are inflammatory diseases that affect the gums and other tissues that support the teeth. Periodontal diseases are responsible for 70% of tooth loss in adults. These diseases can be treated easily and successfully when diagnosed at an early stage.
Prevention or treatment of gum diseases; It also brings other benefits such as protecting natural teeth, providing more comfortable chewing and better digestion.
Periodontal diseases begin with gingivitis. So gingivitis is the early stage of periodontal disease. During this period, the gums are bleeding, red and enlarged in volume. It may not cause much discomfort in the early period. If left untreated, the disease may progress to periodontitis and cause irreversible damage to the alveolar bone that supports the gums and teeth.
Periodontitis is a more advanced stage of periodontal diseases. Damage occurs to the alveolar bone along with other tissues that support the teeth. A "periodontal pocket" forms between the tooth and the gum. The presence of a periodontal pocket facilitates the localization of infection and progression of the disease. As the disease progresses, teeth begin to loosen and may even require extraction.
What are the symptoms of gum disease?
Gum disease has many symptoms;
Bleeding gums while brushing teeth
Red, swollen and tender gums
Receding gums that can be easily separated from the teeth
Inflammatory discharge between teeth and gums
Teeth that are loose or gradually moving away from each other (gaps forming between the teeth or existing gaps increasing)
Change in the relationship between the lower and upper teeth during biting
Change in partial denture fit, deterioration
Constant bad breath
However, periodontal disease can reach advanced stages without causing any symptoms. Therefore, it is extremely important to go to the dentist at regular intervals.