Gum Disease & Periodontics

Gum Disease or periodontal disease are diseases that affect the tissues surrounding the roots of the teeth. Gum disease is the most prevalent oral disease affecting almost 90% of population and a leading cause of tooth loss amongst adults in the developed world.

Gum disease is a very SNEAKY DISEASE!! You can have gum disease, when you are not readily aware of the problem. That is why it is important for you to have a comprehensive gum disease examination. Here is a self access test for you..

Do you have

• Swollen red gums or bleeding gums?
• Bad breath?
• Small spaces appearing between teeth?
• Gums tending to pull downwards in relation to the teeth?
• Vague pain in one or more teeth (not related to decaying teeth)?
• Shifting and loosening of permanent teeth?
• Foul taste in the mouth?
• Itchy feeling in the gums, relieved by digging with a toothpick?

If you have answered YES to any one or more of the queries above, you are likely to be suffering from gum disease!!

To confirm self diagnosis of a gum disease a full mouth X-ray called an OPG should be done.

Compare your OPG to the OPG images displayed here

Look out for the grey outline of bone level between the roots of the teeth. Healthy mouth x-ray image shows bone levels in form of triangular grey projections between the teeth. Gum disease is characterized by loss of bone supporting the teeth and is evident on the OPG x-ray in form of loss of grey projections and appearance of black triangles between the teeth. More the drop in the bone level, bigger are the sizes of black triangles and more severe and chronic is the gum disease.

Images 1 to 3 show a diseased mouth X-ray, depicting appearance of black triangles shown in blue and original, current bone levels in green and red respectively.

If you detect these changes on your OPG x-ray along with any or more of the above said symptoms you are likely to be suffering from Gum disease. Seek professional help to diagnose and treat the condition.

The most important fact is that, at the onset, the disease is very slowly progressing and does not cause any problems in the initial stages. Infact periodontal disease rarely show any symptoms or pain until the later stages, which could be quiet dangerous!! More teeth are lost due to gum diseases than due to tooth decay!!

Gum disease (periodontal disease) occur when the toxins found in plaque begin to irritate or inflame the gingiva (gum tissue). The resulting bacterial infection , often known as gingivitis, can eventually lead to the destruction of the gum tissue and underlying bone. If not treated in time, it can also lead to loose teeth and eventually tooth loss!!