PERIODONTITIS
Periodontitis = Gum disease
You may be more familiar with the term Gingivitis. Itis is inflammation and gingiva is what we dental folk call your gums, so gingivitis is gum inflammation.
Periodontitis, again itis, inflammation, but this time involving the periodontium – this is all the stuff under the gum the supporting tissues such as bone and ligaments (periodontal ligaments).
Gingivitis v’s Periodontitis
They are both considered gum disease but there is a difference between them mainly gingivitis is reversible with no lasting damage, periodontitis can be stopped in its tracks & some repair can take place but there is usually some irreversible damage especially with any lost bone and if untreated can result in loss of teeth. Gingivitis always precedes periodontitis but not all gingivitis will become periodontitis.
Periodontitis is multifactorial.
How do you know if you have periodontitis?
Well in most cases early periodontitis is only picked up by a gum health check or radiographs as unfortunately early periodontitis and most moderate periodontitis is not painful.
This is unfortunate as if it hurt like toothache you would seek immediate help and increase the chance of maximum reversal.
Unfortunately, bleeding gums are not always present as a sign, for example in smokers even light smokers we do not see the same bleeding gums, however we do see a quicker advance to severe periodontitis, in rapid loss of attachment of bone and ligament, and slower repair following treatment.
One theory, the vasoconstriction theory, by a Dr Pindborg in 1947 which as all theories are, is being further investigated even today, is that nicotine causes vasoconstriction – the nicotine in cigarettes could act directly on the blood vessels of the gingivae – causing vasoconstriction – thus explaining why smokers exhibited less bleeding with periodontal disease than non-smokers. The reduced blood flow would decrease the number of blood cells, and the amount of oxygen reaching the tissue, thereby also stopping the blood flow removing toxins and waste products from the area, explaining the increased bone loss. This theory was the one that made the most sense of the differences.
Prevention is better than cure.
Yes, I had to get that old favourite out. It is so true and especially of dental diseases, tooth decay, gingivitis, periodontitis.
At Ohh! We advise that you have a hygiene visit every 3 months. If anything is starting to go wrong it can be quickly addressed, prevention is not expensive – neglect is!
During your visit a full soft tissue check, which can highlight many systemic health problems catching them early, not to mention the importance of screening for oral cancer, I also carry out a gentle gum measurement around the circumference of every tooth. There is a natural cuff of gum that covers the tooth which in health measures approx. 2-3mm. By measuring I can not only examine if there is a ‘pocket’ as we call the deeper cuff, but I can assess what is in that pocket and how infected it may be.
Periodontitis is multifactorial, as I wrote earlier, and each treatment is tailored to the individual, a full ‘pocket’ measuring chart will indicate how many teeth are affected and the severity of the disease and this would lead the treatment plan – along with what your feelings and hopes were for treatment.
In my previous years I was a Staff Dental Hygienist within Glasgow Dental Hospitals Periodontology department, where my daily bread and butter was in the treatment of advanced periodontitis, alongside fabulous consultants who would combine ‘surgical techniques’ (which staff hygienists would assist with) alongside the ‘non-surgical periodontal therapy’ that I would carry out, to stablilise severe periodontitis.
Treatment ….
The first step in treatment, the most common, and the gold standard of successful periodontal therapy is always ‘non-surgical therapy’, and I can carry this out at Ohh!
The results of ‘non-surgical treatment/therapy’ then sets where we go from that point. I have many options for referral if ‘non-surgical therapy’ is not responding as we hope. Specialists and the GDH will in most cases not accept a referral without at least one ‘non-surgical phase’ of treatment having been completed.
The foundation stones of dental hygiene are to promote health and prevent disease. Periodontitis is what we do. Education and tailored advice and treatment can produce fabulous results. If required I have fabulous gels that I can apply to the gum to numb sensation or I can give local anaesthetics, in many cases neither of these are required as I have fabulous equipment and years of experience in making all my treatments at Ohh! Comfortable. They are however readily available if required.
If you have any gum or mouth concerns at all then please drop us a message, or book in for a hygiene visit, I am here to help in any way I can. What is the use of knowledge if you cannot share it and make a difference! I never judge and I never lecture, it is about working together with education & tailored treatments to achieve fabulous results.
The goal at Ohh! To ensure you Stay fabulous & provide you with that Saintly Smile.
Jacqui x
