Do you notice a little bleeding from your gums when you brush your teeth in the morning? You may think that it's normal, that it's because you brushed your teeth a little too hard. But actually, bleeding gums are never normal. It can be a small warning sign that your body is giving you, just like bleeding when you have an injury somewhere on your body. This small sign, if ignored, can develop into a serious condition that can lead to tooth loss in the future. That serious condition is what we medically call Periodontitis . Let's talk about this today in a simple way, so that you can understand it.
Simply put, what is Periodontitis?
Periodontitis is a serious infection of the gums. It's like the soil around a tree is gradually washed away, and eventually the roots come out, causing the tree to shake and fall. Our teeth are like those trees. The gums and jawbone that hold the teeth in place are like the soil around the tree.
In this condition, bacteria in our mouths first cause an infection in the gums. This causes the gums to become swollen, red, and start to bleed. If we ignore this, this infection gradually goes deeper. That is, it goes from the gums to the roots of the teeth, and even begins to dissolve the jawbone that holds the teeth in place. The end result is that the teeth start to loosen and even healthy teeth fall out without any decay.
Although this condition is more common with age and is most common in people over 30, it can develop in anyone who doesn't take good care of their oral health. Some people have a genetic predisposition to it. If your mother, father, or other family members have had gum disease, you are at higher risk of developing this condition.
The important thing is that this disease called Periodontitis does not cause much pain in the early stages, so many people do not know about it until it becomes serious.
Do you have these symptoms too? Take a look.
It is very important to recognize this disease early, because then you can treat it before it causes serious damage. See if you have one or more of the symptoms below.
| Symptom | Simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Bleeding gums | Not only when brushing my teeth, but sometimes even when I just stand still or eat something like an apple. |
| Swollen, red, or purple gums | Healthy gums are light pink and firm. But when they become infected, they become swollen and turn a deep red or purple color. |
| Bad breath | If bad breath returns a short time after brushing your teeth, the cause may be bacteria that have accumulated under the gums. |
| Loose teeth | This is a more severe form of the disease. As the bone holding the teeth in place dissolves, the teeth begin to loosen. |
| Gum recession | The gums recede and the roots of the teeth begin to show. This makes the teeth appear elongated. |
| New gaps between teeth | As teeth move and their position changes, gaps that were not there before can form between the teeth. |
| Pus coming from the gums | If you press on the gap between the gum and the tooth and see drops of white-yellow pus coming out, it's a clear sign of infection. |
If you have any of these symptoms, see a dentist immediately . Don't ignore this. The sooner you start treatment, the better your chances of saving your teeth.
Why do we get this kind of disease?
The main and simplest reason for this is not taking proper care of your oral health . Let's see how this happens.
Our mouths are constantly home to a large number of bacteria. The sugars and starches in the foods we eat combine with these bacteria to form a sticky, colorless film on the surface of our teeth. We call this plaque . This is what builds up on our teeth, turning them yellow if we don't brush them for a day.
When we don't brush our teeth properly every day, this plaque film builds up on our teeth. Within 24-48 hours, this plaque film combines with the minerals in our saliva and hardens into a hard stone. That's what we call tartar or calculus . Once this stone hardens, it can't be removed with a regular toothbrush. Only a dentist can do that.
This tartar is the root of the problem. It sticks to the gum line and under the gum line. It's a perfect hiding place for bacteria. The toxins released by these bacteria cause inflammation in the gums. This is the beginning of Periodontitis.
Other factors that increase risk
In addition to poor oral hygiene, several other factors can increase the risk of developing this disease.
- Smoking and tobacco use: Smokers are at a much higher risk of developing periodontitis, and even with treatment, the recovery rate is slower.
- Diabetes: People with uncontrolled diabetes have a reduced ability to fight infections, making them more susceptible to developing gum disease.
- Hormonal changes: Gums can become more sensitive due to hormonal changes, especially during pregnancy and the menstrual cycle in women.
- Certain medications: Some medications taken for diseases such as high blood pressure and epilepsy can cause swollen gums.
- Family history: As mentioned earlier, there may be a genetic predisposition that runs in families.
- Other medical conditions: People with diseases that weaken the immune system, such as AIDS, are also at increased risk.
How does the dentist recognize this disease?
When you go to see a dentist, he or she will examine your gums and perform several tests to determine if you have this disease and, if so, how severe it is.
1. You will be asked about your symptoms, the medications you take, whether you smoke, and whether anyone in your family has these conditions.
2. Examining the gums: The gums are carefully examined for color, swelling, and bleeding.
3. Using a Periodontal Probe: This is the most important test. This is a small, tapered instrument. With this, the doctor measures how deep the pocket is between your tooth and gum. In a healthy person, this pocket is about 1-3 millimeters. However, in someone with Periodontitis, this pocket can be 4, 5, 6, or even deeper. A deep pocket means that the bone underneath has dissolved to that extent.
4. X-ray examination of the teeth: An X-ray examination is performed to see exactly how much the jawbone that holds the teeth has melted or been damaged.
After these tests, the doctor will determine whether you have mild, moderate, or severe cases of the disease and prescribe appropriate treatment.
What are the treatments for this?
Periodontitis treatment has two main goals. One is to control the infection. The other is to stop the disease from progressing and help protect your teeth. Treatment methods vary depending on the severity of the disease.
Non-surgical treatments (for the initial stage)
If the disease is not too severe, these treatments can yield successful results.
- Scaling and Root Planing (Deep Cleaning of Teeth): This is the most basic and basic treatment. Here, the doctor will numb your mouth and completely remove the tartar and bacteria (plaque) that have built up on the roots of your teeth, below the gums. Then, the surface of the roots of your teeth is smoothed. This will reduce the chance of bacteria re-attaching.
- Antibiotics: Antibiotics can be given as oral pills to control infection, or as a gel or chip placed under the gums.
- Advising on oral health habits: You will be taught how to brush your teeth properly and how to floss between your teeth.
Remember, if you don't maintain proper oral hygiene at home after these treatments, the disease may recur.
Surgical treatment (for severe cases)
If the disease is severe and the pockets under the gums are very deep, surgery may be necessary. This is done by a periodontist, a doctor who specializes in gum disease.
| Name of the surgery | What simply happens |
|---|---|
| Osseous surgery (Flap Surgery) | The gum is cut a little, lifted like a lid, the tooth roots and bone inside are exposed, and the deep-seated tartar and bacteria are cleaned out. Then the damaged bone is prepared, the gum is reattached, and stitches are applied. |
| Dental bone grafts | To regrow the jawbone that has been lost due to the disease, the gap is filled with special bone grafts (from your own body, someone else's, or artificially created). Over time, your own bone grows around it. |
| Guided tissue regeneration | This is done at the same time as a bone graft. A special membrane is placed between the bone and the gum. This prevents unwanted tissue (like gum) from growing where the bone should be. |
| Gum grafts | If the gums have receded and the roots of the teeth have emerged, a small piece of gum taken from the roof of the mouth or another area is transplanted to the area where the gums have receded. |
| Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) | The platelet-rich portion of your own blood is separated and used to stimulate bone or gum regrowth. |
Can Periodontitis be completely cured?
This is a question that many people ask. To be honest, Periodontitis cannot be completely cured . Just like diabetes and high blood pressure. But don't worry. It can be very well controlled .
If you take proper treatment, take care of your oral health as your doctor recommends, and visit your dentist on time for checkups, you can stop the disease from progressing completely. That means you can keep your teeth for life.
Can this disease be fatal?
No. Periodontitis does not directly cause death. However, research has found a link between this disease and several other serious illnesses. For example:
- Cardiac disease
- Stroke
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Respiratory diseases
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Low birth weight babies
Scientists believe that bacteria in the gums can enter the bloodstream and travel to other parts of the body, causing problems like these. Therefore, oral health is very important for overall health.
Take-Home Message
- Bleeding gums are not normal. They can be the first sign of gum disease. If you see them, never ignore them.
- Periodontitis is a serious infection that can even lead to tooth loss if left untreated.
- Brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Also, floss between your teeth daily.
- See a dentist at least every 6 months. If you have gum disease, you may need to go more often (every 3-4 months).
- If you smoke, quitting is the best thing you can do for the health of your gums.
- If detected early, simple treatments can effectively control Periodontitis and protect your teeth for life.
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