Articles

Gum Problems

The Gums

The teeth remain embedded in jawbone which is covered from outside by gums. Healthy gums are coral pink in colour. They remain firmly attached to the underlying bone. Healthy gum can be identified by thin margins firmly adapting over the respective tooth and it does not bleed easily.

Gum Diseases

Gum problems can be divided into two stages:

• Gingivitis
• Periodontitis

Gingivitis

As mentioned earlier, normal gums are coral pink in colour with the edges firmly attached around the tooth, and does not bleed on normal brushing. The earliest sign of gum inflammation is bleeding from the margins of gums during brushing, without any pain. The margins of gums appear red. If proper brushing is not done, the disease may progress deep inside the gums. They may swell, become soft and bleed even on slightest touch, The bleeding may even occur spontaneously. Even at this late stage, the condition maybe painless. This condition is known is Gingivitis.

Periodontitis

If not treated, the disease may progress to involve the surrounding bone, leading to pocket formation around the tooth. Now the disease is called periodontitis or pyorrhea. At this stage, the patient may complain of bleeding, itching sensation and dull constant ache in gums, increased hot and cold sensitivity, food impaction, and even loose teeth. There may be bad odour from the mouth, migration of teeth and exposed root surfaces. Some people may have the urge to dig deep in between the teeth to get relief from the dull ache. All these symptoms suggest that quick attention and professional help is required. If the disease is not treated, ultimately it may result in loss of teeth one after the other. Periodontal disease is the most important cause of tooth loss in our country.

Causes of Gums and Periodontal Diseases

The gum diseases are also caused by plaque accumulation. The bacteria present in plaque form toxic substances that may cause inflammation of gums. If plaque is not removed regularly, it may harden to form calculus (tartar). This tartar withits rough surface, attracts further deposition of plaque and bacteria, sustaining the inflammation and destruction of supporting bone.

What does your dentist do when you have Tartar ?

The dentist cleans the hard deposits on your tooth with the help of special instruments. This procedure is called as scaling of tooth.

What will happen if Gum Diseases are not treated in time ?

If the gum diseases are not treated in time, the infection from the gums can spread to involve the underlying bone and may cause loosening or migration of the tooth. The involved tooth/teeth may eventually be lost. Sometimes the infection may cause pus formation that can involve adjoining tissues and may cause swelling, pus discharge, bone infection etc. Chronic gum diseases where pus oozes out of the gum margins (pyorrhea) can affect the general health of a person. Recent scientific studies have shown that the gum infections are associated with heart and lung diseases. In pregnant women, it can lead to low birth weight babies and pre-term labour. Therefore, it is very important that gum diseases are prevented and treated early.

Prevention of Gum Diseases

• Mechanical Method
  

  This method is most important in plaque control. The mechanical method means use of toothpaste and brush or any other indigenous method such as datun etc. Proper cleaning of teeth is very important by any form i.e. it may be toothpaste and brush or datun etc.
  Teeth should be cleaned in such a way that upper teeth are cleaned in downward motion and lower teeth in upward motion, both from outside and inside. On chewing surfaces, circular motion of brushing helps to clean the pits and fissures. The key is to take care to clean all the surfaces of all the teeth in both the jaws.
  The other aids of mechanical cleaning of teeth include dental floss, inter-dental brushes, rubber tips and tooth piks, water pik etc. They help to clean those areas in between the teeth that are normally not accessible during normal tooth brushing. They are specially indicated for crowding and abnormal spacing between the teeth.

• Chemical Method
  

  There are certain chemicals such as chlorhexidine and fluoride that help in reducing bacterial population of plaque. They are available as mouth rinses. They should be only used on advice of the doctor for limited periods.

Gum Message

Gum Massage is necessary because it increases the blood supply in the gums which in turn make them firm & healthy.