What is Gum Disease?

Yelena PaliyevaGinny LoebSarah Boe

Two Types

• Gingivitis – gums only

• Periodontal disease – gums, teeth, and bone

Healthy Gums

Healthy gums are pink – not red or swollen

Do NOT bleed!

Question 1

What is plaque?

Plaque

• Pale yellow layer • Bacteria build up• Major cause of gum disease

Question 2

What do you think is the biggest reason people have gum disease?

Gingivitis

• Swollen gums • Gums are often red• Can heal and become healthy again

– Disease could go away• Can get worse if not addressed

Why Gingivitis?

• If not removed plaque hardens into tartar (calculus)

• Tartar under the gums can irritate the gums

Question 3

Has anyone ever had bleeding gums when you brush or floss?

Question 4

Do you think it is normal to have bleeding gums?

Bleeding gums are NOT normal

• Gums are bleeding because of bacteria in plaque and tartar

• Sign of disease• Bacteria can lead to a more severe disease

that causes permanent damage to tissues around teeth– Leads to periodontal disease

Periodontal disease

• Disease of gums, teeth, and bone • Bone can not heal • Permanent damage

– Gums lower, teeth look longer– Bone loss– Teeth lose connection to bone– Tooth loss

Gum loss, bad breath, bleeding gums, loose teeth, new gaps between teeth

Periodontal disease

Progression of Disease

Healthy Bone

Bone Loss

Periodontal disease

BacteriaCan be changed by:-keeping the mouth

clean-Diet

Heredity-Immune deficiency-Genetic syndromesDiseases in the

body-DiabetesViruses

Habits-General attitude

toward health-Smoking

-Alcohol-Diet

-Medications

Negative Stress

Psychological Factors

-bad effect on immune system

Social Factors-Family-Up-bringing-Job/Profession-Culture

Main Factors

• Smoking• Oral care – at home and dental visits• Stress• Overall health• Heredity • Immune response

How much bacteria in a cubic mm of plaque???

100,000,000100 million bacteria in a cubic mm of plaque

Question 5

What do you think could help you from getting diseases in your

mouth?

Prevention

• Good daily brushing and flossing– Brush at least 2 times a day

• after breakfast & bedtime

– Floss at least 1 time a day• bedtime

• Regular dental visits– Important – Areas where only professionals can reach

• Areas especially involved in periodontal disease• Toothbrush does not reach past 3mm from gumline

Remove Plaque

Periodontal treatment

• Gingivitis:– Use mouth rinses and toothpastes that kill

bacteria that cause gingivitis• Periodontal disease:

– Deep cleaning of tooth root surfaces below gums– Prescription medication– Oral surgery

• $$$ costs lots of money!

Overview

• Gingivitis:– Inflammation of the gums, redness, bleeding & infection – Could progress to periodontal disease– Can go back to healthy state if treated

• Periodontal disease:– Disease of tissue surrounding teeth– Can not go back to a healthy state

– but could be made stable with treatment

– Many risk factors– #1 = smoking

– Number one cause of tooth loss!!!

Thank You for Listening!

BTC Dental Hygiene Clinic

360-752-8349Call for a free screening if you think you have a

lot of tarter build-up!