Periodontal Diseases | Symptoms & Causes
What are the symptoms of periodontal disease?
The following are the most common symptoms of gum disease. However, each adolescent may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
- Red, swollen, tender gums
- Bleeding while brushing and/or flossing
- Receding gums
- Loose or separating teeth
- Persistent odorous breath
- Dentures no longer fit
- Puss between the teeth and gums
- Change in bite and jaw alignment
What causes periodontal disease?
As with many other oral health diseases, bacteria and plaque build-up is often the culprit. In fact, plaque build-up is the leading cause of gum disease. Other potential causes of gum disease include:
- Genetics
- Poor oral hygiene
- Food stuck in the gums frequently (may be due to a malocclusion, or "bad bite")
- Mouth breathing (may lead to severe drying of the gums and teeth in front of the mouth)
- A diet low in nutrients and/or a vitamin C deficiency
- Smoking or the use of smokeless tobacco
- Autoimmune or systemic diseases
- Diabetes
- Hormonal changes in the body
- Bruxism (incessant clenching and grinding of the teeth)
- Certain medications (some medications cause an overgrowth of the gums that can lead to periodontal disease)
Periodontal Diseases | Diagnosis & Treatments
How do we diagnose periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease is usually diagnosed based on a complete history and physical examination of your child's mouth. Your child's physician will probably refer him to a dentist for complete evaluation and treatment, where he'll probably have X-rays of his teen taken. An X-ray is a diagnostic test that uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto film. An X-ray helps a dentist determine precisely which teeth are affected by periodontal disease and determine treatment.
How do we treat periodontal disease?
For moderate to advanced periodontitis, treatment may include any, or a combination of, the following:
- Plaque removal: Deep cleaning can help remove the plaque and infected tissue in the early stages of the disease, while smoothing the damaged root surfaces of the teeth. The gums can then be reattached to the teeth.
- Medication
- Surgery: When the disease is advanced, the infected areas under the gums will be cleaned, and the tissues will then be reshaped or replaced.
Types of surgeries for periodontitis
- Pocket reduction
- A regeneration procedure
- A soft tissue graft
- Crown lengthening
