Millions of Americans suffer from periodontal disease. At Portola Dental Group, we treat patients throughout the Palm Desert area that are struggling with this condition and provide a variety of treatment solutions to help combat the symptoms and heal the gums. If you are concerned that your gums are unhealthy, call (760) 201-4085 to schedule an appointment with Marc E. LeBlanc, DDS and receive a dental examination.
Periodontics is a specialized area of dental practice that concentrates on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of periodontal disease, gingivitis and gum disease, diabetic complications as well as the placement of implants. The main aspect of the process is the treatment of inflammation as a result of disease and bacterial growth due to another condition.
People who suffer from diabetes are more prone to infections than those who do not have diabetes, and a symptom of the affliction that is not widely known is periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease (which is also known as periodontitis or gum disease) is a degenerative condition that will often result in tooth decay and tooth loss if it is not treated. Periodontal disease starts as a bacterial infection in the mouth and progresses to the colonization of the bacteria under the gums. This causes the gums to recede and the bacteria to eventually attack the underlying bone tissue, leading to tooth loosening and loss.
Diabetes itself is too much glucose (or sugar) in the blood. Type II diabetics cannot regulate insulin levels causing the excess glucose to remain in the blood. Type I diabetics produce no insulin at all. The reasons that diabetic people have a higher risk of periodontal disease are as follows:
Increased sugar in the blood – Moderate and severe periodontal disease creates an elevation of sugar in the blood, which is difficult for diabetic people to control. The bacteria in the mouth of diabetics with periodontal disease can cause serious effects.
Thickening of blood vessels – If blood vessels thicken, they are unable to serve their vital function of delivering nutrients and removing waste. The thickened blood vessels are not able to perform the exchange, which leads to waste products being left in the mouth, worsening the bacterial issues and leading to tooth decay and loss.
Smoking – Smoking or using tobacco products puts everyone at risk, however diabetics who smoke increase the risks of oral issues exponentially. Tobacco use slows the healing processes in the mouth, and combined with diabetes the issues are compounded. Diabetic smokers aged 45 and over are twenty times more likely to develop periodontal disease.
Poor oral hygiene – It is even more important for diabetics to brush, floss and keep immaculate oral health conditions than people without diabetes. The excess sugars in the mouth as well as the compromised waste removal systems provide an ideal environment for bacteria to colonize and destroy the gums and bone which holds teeth in place.
Diagnosis and Treatment
People suffering from any type of diabetes should see the dentist at least twice per year for checkups and professional cleanings. It is well documented that ongoing non-surgical periodontal treatments will lower the HbA1c (hemoglobin molecule blood test) count by as much as 20% in a six month period.
Your dentist during your exam will assess family history and dental X-rays, as well as the condition of the gums, teeth and underlying jawbone. There may be a necessity for your dentist work in conjunction with other doctors to ensure that both the diabetes and the gum disease are being managed and controlled.
The non-surgical procedures that will be performed by the dentist and dental hygienist include deep scaling, where calculus (tartar) will be removed from the teeth above and below the gumline, and root planing, where the root of the tooth is smoothed down to eliminate any remaining bacteria.? Antibiotics may be applied to the gum pockets to promote healing.
Before and after periodontal treatment, the dentist and hygienist will recommend proper home care and oral maintenance as well as prescribing prescription mouthwashes which serve to deter further bacteria colonization.
What are the signs of gum disease?
You may have gum disease if your gums are red, swollen or bleeding. It is natural for this to happen from time to time after eating something that irritates your gums or brushing too aggressively. However, if this happens on a regular basis then you may have some type of gum disease. Another symptom is bad breath, loose teeth, pain while chewing, sensitive teeth or teeth that appear longer. If you live in the Palm Desert area, we can examine your gums and let you know what the source of your problem is.
The consequences of periodontal disease
In its early stages, gum disease can cause some irritation and bleeding. There may be some discomfort, but it will be minimal. This stage is called gingivitis. If, however, it is left untreated the disease will spread, and the gums will start to recede by pulling away from the tooth. This creates pockets in the gum tissue that can expose more of the tooth structure and the root system. Once exposed, the tooth and roots are more susceptible to becoming infected as bacteria can gather and start to irritate the area. This can lead to cavities and infections along with bone loss. In severe cases, the bone loss in combination with receding gums can lead to tooth loss. In many cases, adult teeth that fall out due so because of gum disease.
What causes gum disease?
In short – bacteria. When bacteria remain on the teeth, it can form plaque and tartar. When this substance becomes stuck in between the teeth and gums, it can lead to gum complication. The best way to prevent this is to brush and floss several times throughout the day along with visiting the dentist for regular teeth cleanings.
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Are certain people at risk for the condition?
There are things you can do to increase your risk for getting gum disease. This includes smoking, hormonal changes, pregnancy, diabetes, certain medications, and genetics. Any time that the blood flow is constricted or reduced, your risk for the disease increases. This is why diabetics and pregnant women are more susceptible to the condition. At Portola Dental Group, we recommend that our pregnant patients visit our office at least twice during pregnancy in order to decrease their risk and the pregnancy complications that come with it.
How is it treated?
At Portola Dental Group, there are several ways that we treat gum disease. We will make a recommendation after examining your teeth and gums to determine what the source of the problem is and what should be done to address it. The treatment plan is often dictated by the severity of the periodontitis. We recommend that patients look for the signs of gum disease and schedule an appointment immediately so that the least invasive procedure can be used to correct the problem. Once the disease has progressed too far, more significant procedures may be necessary to heal the gums. At times, this can involve surgery.
The first step in addressing gum disease is to complete a deep cleaning. By removing plaque and tartar from the teeth and gums, we can help patients throughout the Palm Desert area start the healing process. Once the bacteria and plaque have been removed, the gums will start to heal naturally. If the plaque is only around the edge of the gum line, a standard teeth cleaning will work. If it has become trapped between the gums and teeth, a scaling and root planning procedure will be required. In this case, we will need to scrape the plaque off from the teeth underneath the gums. Some dentists use a laser to do so in order to complete the procedure faster.
When surgery is required, it is typically because the gums have receded so significantly. When pockets form in the gum tissue, they need to be restored in order to protect the tooth again. In this case, a gum graft can be helpful. This works by taking tissue from the roof of the mouth or another area and grafting it to the gums so that the gum tissue can start to regenerate. The gums then need to be secured back around the tooth in order to protect it and the roots. If bone loss has occurred as a result of gum disease, a bone graft may be necessary in order to restore and strengthen the tooth. In this procedure natural or synthetic bone is compacted into the area and sealed so that the bone can start to regenerate.
These procedures combined can help to both heal and restore your gums. In order to tell which procedures are necessary for you, call 760-201-4085 and schedule a consultation with Marc E. LeBlanc, DDS. At Portola Dental Group, we may start with a deep cleaning to see how well your gums react and start to heal. If they do not recover in short order, we may move to surgical procedures as necessary.
How to Keep Your Gums Healthy
You can prevent periodontitis by taking simple steps that include brushing your teeth after meals, flossing on a daily basis and rinsing your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash once a day. This will help to remove bacteria and sugar from your teeth and gums before they can turn into plaque. Eating a healthy diet that is low in sugar can also help to keep your gums healthy. At Portola Dental Group, we also recommend having your teeth cleaned professionally at least twice a year so that we can remove plaque and tartar from hard to reach places. This will ensure that your gums remain healthy.
If you live in the Palm Desert area, call (760) 201-4085 to schedule your dental exam so that you can remain in good health or receive treatment for a current condition.
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Terms. 2015
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD). Home Page. 2015
- WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2015
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