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Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection affecting the tissues surrounding the teeth, including the gums and bone. If left untreated, it can lead to gum inflammation, gum recession, bone loss, and eventually loose or lost teeth.
Gingivitis is gum inflammation caused by plaque buildup. It's the first stage of gum disease and can be reversed, but it may lead to periodontitis if left untreated.
When the gum inflammation spreads to the jawbone resulting in the formation of pockets between the teeth and gums it is considered early periodontitis.
As these gum pockets expand deeper, bone loss increases and possible puss formation occurs. This is known as moderate periodontitis.
When moderate periodontitis is left untreated, the disease will progress into its advanced stage. Signs of advanced periodontitis include severe bone loss, tooth damage, loose teeth and both partial and full tooth loss.
Over 700 species of both good and bacteria populate in our mouths all day, every day.
When the bad bacteria dominates the good bacteria, the oral microbiome is less equipped to fight plaque buildup on the teeth and infections in the mouth. An imbalanced oral microbiome coupled with poor brushing and flossing habits will result in tartar (hardened plaque) formation. The chronic presence of plaque and tartar on teeth will ultimately lead to periodontal disease.
One's oral microbiome is reflective of their diet. Avoiding ultra processed foods and only consuming raw (unprocessed) produce, nuts, eggs, and lean meats will result in a healthy oral microbiome assuming no other external factors such as medications are in play. Conversely, diets high in ultra processed foods are a breeding ground for bad bacteria. Over time, bacteria in the form of plaque and tartar will build up on the teeth and if left untreated for extended periods of time, periodontal disease will manifest.
Like ulta-processed foods, both smoking and chewing tobacco laden in chemical additives promote the development of periodontal disease.
Some medications used for unrelated conditions can cause or worsen periodontal disease.
Bruxism (teeth grinding) can exacerbate gum disease and lead to tooth loss.
Indirectly, crooked teeth can play a role in the onset of periodontal disease due the deep and difficult to reach crevices of misaligned teeth. Straightening of these teeth is recommended.
The body produces over 50 different hormones, some of which areinflammatory and others are anti-inflammatory. Both depression and pregnancy increase production of inflammatory hormones. Additionally, both pregnancy and depression stress all bodily systems, weakening the body's response to external factors such as plaque bacteria on the teeth.
Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and autoimmune disorders, can weaken the immune system and contribute to periodontal disease.
Poorly performed dental procedures, such as deep cleanings or extractions, can introduce bacteria into the gums and increase the risk of infection.
Lack of essential micronutrients, such as the A, B, C, D vitamins can weaken the immune system and impair gum health.
Most cases of periodontal diseaseare avoidable through dietary changes. Replace inflammatory seed oils and processed foods with produce, nuts, as well as lean meats; by doing so, hormonal fluctuations, systemic disease, nutrient deficiencies, bruxism and the need for medications will be drastically reduced.
Dentists treat gingivitis by performing a professional cleaning, also known as "scaling and root planing," which removes plaque and tartar buildup from both the surface of your teeth and below the gum line, effectively cleaning deep into the gum pockets. They will also educate you on proper oral hygiene practices to maintain healthy gums at home, and they may recommend an antimicrobial mouthwash and/or dental probiotic to further control bacteria causing the inflammation.
FREQUENCY: EVERY 2-4 MONTHS BASED ON SEVERITY
DURATION: UNTIL CONDITION RESOLVES
DURATION: THOSE IN STAGE 2 WILL CONTINUE TREATMENTS UNTIL THE CONDITION RESOLVES; HOWEVER THOSE IN STAGES 3 OR 4 WILL LIKELY NEED TREATMENTS FOR LIFE.
