Periodontal disease is divided into several types according to the degree of spread of the disease and the tissues involved.
Gingivitis is the most basic and mildest of periodontal diseases, and the most common. Most of us have gingivitis to one degree or another. Gingivitis damages only the soft tissues and gums surrounding the jaw bones. This inflammation does not damage the bone or the tooth’s anchoring mechanism. Gingivitis starts in a localized manner, but if left inadequately treated, may quickly spread.
How do we identify gingivitis? Gingivitis begins with the formation of redness in the affected area. Afterward, swelling and bleeding during brushing occurs. Usually, gingivitis does not involve any pain at first, so without frequent checkups by the dentist, it is very difficult to identify it.
If gingivitis goes untreated, chronic periodontitis may occur. This disease is more advanced and destroys the mechanism anchoring the tooth in the mouth and the supporting bone. Chronic gingivitis / periodontitis, like ordinary gingivitis, may appear locally but also spread in the mouth. The severity of the disease is measured by the severity of gum and supporting bone damage.
As we mentioned, chronic periodontitis begins with gingivitis, but fortunately not every case of gingivitis results in chronic disease.
It is impossible to know in which cases gingivitis will become chronic periodontitis. Therefore, it is very important to have routine checkups and care for the various symptoms immediately.
Signs of the disease: redness, the area becomes swollen, bleeding, pockets that are more than 5 mm deep, bone recession, mobility of teeth, increasing gaps between the teeth.
A local suppurative infection in the gingival tissue in the pocket area or the tooth furcation (the point at which the roots split up, in teeth that have multiple roots), which may lead to rapid destruction of the anchoring mechanism. Smooth, shiny swelling in the gingival pocket or tooth furcation area.
Sometimes, because of periodontal disease, aggressive brushing or for other reasons, the neck of the tooth root is exposed, meaning that the gums have receded.
The tooth neck is exposed, and the tooth appears “longer”, which is an esthetic defect, and may involve sensitivity to cold / heat. The primary cause of the disorder must of course be addressed.
Because there is a connection between the tooth pulp, the nerves and blood vessels, and the tissues surrounding and anchoring the tooth, sometimes an infection that begins as an infection in the tooth root that requires root canal treatment may progress to the gums and become gingivitis or vice versa. Therefore, the treatment in these cases must be combined.
Periodontal care – learn about the range of treatment methods
