Advanced periodontal disease certainly does not sound like any of the common dental problems and more people would probably take it more seriously if this was the name that was always used. However, periodontal disease is just a scientific way of saying “gum disease”. The mildest form of the condition is known as gingivitis which may explain why periodontal disease treatment is not taken more seriously by most people. This is because the symptoms of gingivitis tend to be quite mild and usually painless.
However, common dental problems always tend to get worse when treatment is avoided and this is no exception because “acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis” may follow, and it has more severe and painful symptoms, including:
- Appearance of sores on the gingival tissue
- Gums very sore to the touch
- Bleeding far more common than with normal gingivitis
- A gray film will appear on teeth and gums
- Severe halitosis that never seems to go away even after brushing, flossing, or the use of mouthwash
Unfortunately, necrotizing gingivitis will worsen and evolve into advanced periodontal disease if treatment is not undertaken immediately. While many of us are worrying about the more common dental problems like cavities which affect 90% of adults over the age of 40, advanced periodontal disease can also cause the teeth to fall out and may lead to even more serious medical problems, such as:
- Significant increase in chances for developing coronary artery disease
- Increased chances of stroke
- Infective Endocarditis
- Reduced ability to fight off simple infections and viruses
Advanced periodontal disease occurs when the bacteria responsible for gingivitis spread below the gum line. Once this happens, the infection caused by these harmful microbes intensifies and produces toxins that actually destroy gingival and bone tissue. In turn, pockets will form in between your gums and teeth that will help the bacteria grow faster and the condition will worsen quickly. As more supporting bone tissue is destroyed, the teeth will loosen and eventually fall out if periodontal disease treatment is not initiated immediately.
Once the bacteria spread below the gum line, advanced periodontal disease treatment procedures are the only way to stop the infection caused by the bacteria. Procedures used in the treatment of advanced periodontal disease include:
- Pocket Reduction
- Regeneration procedures to replace the destroyed gingival and bone tissue
- Crown lengthening
- Soft Tissue Graft
None of the above treatment options are pleasant as they are all costly and tend to be quite uncomfortable. In many cases, periodontal disease treatment procedures involve multiple visits (sometimes more than 10!!).
However, while many common dental health problems are the result of our own poor oral hygiene habits (including gingivitis and other gum health issues), sometimes there are cases like diabetes and periodontal disease when issues arise due to medical problems completely unrelated to the mouth. In most cases, however, you can avoid the serious consequences related to severe periodontal disease by practicing good oral hygiene and making sure to see your dentist for regular check-ups.
