Periodontal Gum Disease

Gum Disease

Periodontal (gum) disease is a slowly progressing infection of the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth. It is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Gum disease is usually painless and most people do not know or realize that they have it.

Comfort Dental in Southfield, Michigan takes your oral health very seriously as it is linked to other health problems and researchers have found that people with gum disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease.

Gum disease is caused by plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on the teeth. Think of plaque being similar to the grimy cover on your windshield on a cold, drizzly winter day. The bacteria in the plaque create toxins which can damage the gums and the teeth.  Some of these bacteria also cause cavitiesthat destroy your teeth.  The plaque slowly turns into calculus (tartar) and it becomes impossible to remove with your brush or floss. Your toothbrush cannot remove the plaque once it hardens into calculus! The bacteria continue to multiply and flourish inside the calculus, which continues to accumulate more plaque over time.

Gum disease begins with gingivitis. This can be diagnosed by red, swollen and bleeding gums.  A normal cleaning generally reverses the problem at this early stage. 

Normal brushing and flossing can also eliminate most gingivitis, however an examination and professional cleaning is required to make sure that the disease does not progress.

Periodontal gum disease can progress to more advanced stages, as the calculus and plaque continues to build up more bacteria and more toxins.  In the middle to late stages, the progressing infection dissolves the bone around the teeth.  As the bone is lost so is the support to the teeth. The teeth can become loose, fall out or have to be removed by a dentist.


What are the signs of gum disease?

If you notice any of the following signs of periodontal (gum) disease, see US immediately:

• gums that bleed when you brush your teeth
• red, swollen or tender gums
• gums that have pulled away from the teeth
• bad breath that doesn't go away
• pus between your teeth and gums
• loose teeth
• a change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
• a change in the fit of partial dentures

You can prevent gum disease!
Dr. Halmaghi, a top Michigan dentist, knows that you can help prevent gum disease by taking good care of your teeth every day and having regular dental checkups. Here's how to keep your teeth and gums healthy:

Brush your teeth at least twice a day!
This helps remove most of the film of bacteria from the teeth. Sonic based technology toothbrushes are the best tool for cleaning your teeth. We recommend Oral-B Sonic Toothbrushes. A sonic brush can clean your teeth and remove plaque significantly more effectively than regular brushes. The dynamic fluid motion induced by the sonic waves are very effective at doing an optimal job of cleaning your teeth.  Other benefits of using Sonic brushes is that they are gentler to your teeth and decrease the effects of abrasion and recession (wearing of the gum and neck of the tooth areas) which can be caused by brushing too vigorously with a normal brush. Tooth abrasion/recession occurs because of mechanical or frictional force. Brushing too hard is a common cause of the tooth surface wearing away. Sonic brushes help to reduce this problem.  Abrasion and recession can also can be caused by bruxing your teeth and wearing removable partial dentures or retainers. Toothbrush abrasion results in increased recession and V-shaped notches in the lower third of the tooth, near the gumline.  Despite advice you may have read elsewhere (or been advised by your previous dental professional) abrasion and recession cannot be caused by toothpicks or interdental cleaners, when used properly!

Clean between your teeth every day!
Cleaning between your teeth with floss, toothpicks, and/or interdental cleaners removes bacteria and food particles from between the teeth, where a toothbrush can't reach. Early periodontal (gum) disease can often be reversed by daily brushing and flossing. Our number one choice for interproximal cleaning is using plastic interdental (toothpick-style) cleaners (Dentek). You must receive proper instructions on how to use these so that you don’t damage your gums.  Floss is our second choice and we recommend that both methods are used, interchangeably, at least twice daily. Floss is best at preventing cavities between your teeth!

Toothpastes and mouth rinses containing fluoride strengthen the teeth and help prevent decay. At Comfort Dental in Southfield, Michigan, we recommend that you use a high strength fluoride mouth rinse such as ACT or Oral-B Fluorinse at least once a day for 4 minutes. It is important to have regular dental checkups and professional cleanings to prevent periodontal diseases.

If you have any additional questions or would like to schedule a consultation at Comfort Dental in Southfield, Michigan, call 248-646-2273.