Description:
Periodontal diseases are a series of complex, distinct, pathologic entities caused by the interaction of bacterial plaque and the host. Although bacterial plaque has been implicated as the primary etiologic agent in most forms of periodontal disease, there are local and systemic factors which may modify both microbial and host components. Local factors may favor plaque accumulation and maturation, while systemic factors may modulate and decrease the host's protective response. There are two types of periodontal disease, gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is a bacterial infection that is confined to the gingiva, and results in reversible destruction to the tissues of the periodontium. Periodontitis is a bacterial infection of all parts of the periodontium, the gingiva, periodontal ligament, bone, and cementum, which results in irreversible tissue damage. There are three basic states of the periodontium, health, gingivitis, and periodontitis.
Gingivitis is a type of periodontal disease characterized by changes in the color, contour, and consistency of the gingival tissue. Gingivitis is observed clinically from 4-14 days after the local contributing factor, plaque biofilm, accumulates in the gingival sulcus. Periodontitis is characterized by the apical migration of the junctional epithelium, the loss of connective tissue attachment, and the loss of alveolar bone. The tissue damage of periodontitis is permanent.
FAQ:
Q: If I have gingivitis will it always turn into periodontitis?
A: In many cases, gingivitis may persist for years without progressing to periodontitis. So no, you will not necessarily get periodontitis because you have gingivitis, and gingivitis is reversible.
Q: If gingivitis is reversible, then how do I reverse it?
A: It is caused by one thing- bacteria. This bacteria accumulates on your teeth and in the area between your gums and tooth surface (called the sulcus). Your body recognizes the bacteria as being an invader, and begins to defend itself. Unfortunately, in the process of defending itself, your immune system harms the tissue in your gums, too.That being said, the only way to prevent or eliminate gingivitis is to eliminate the plaque. This can be done in the following ways:1. Brush at least twice a day. It's most important to remember to brush before you go to bed, too. This is because anything you don't brush off before you go to bed will be able to sit on your teeth and have a field day for the next 8 hours. You want to brush with the bristles angled at 45 degrees to the gumline. This will remove plaque along the gumline as well as stimulate the gums it's called the "Bass Method".
2. FLOSS! They say it is harder to start flossing than it is to quit smoking. But it is so important, and most people don't even realize it. Flossing removes the plaque BETWEEN your teeth that you cannot get using a toothbrush.
3. Keep up with your visits to your hygienist or dentist. You can have the absolute BEST homecare in the world, but nothing compares to the services a hygienist can provide to you. Using her instruments, she can remove plaque and tartar bulidup below the gumline, areas you just simply cannot reach using a toothbrush, floss, or mouthwash.
Q: Is periodontitis reversible?
A: NO! You can always prevent periodontitis from getting worse, but it is irreversible. Once you have lost the attachment you can not get it back. Through good oral home care and regular visits to the dentisit for scaling and root planing you can keep it under control, and prevent it from getting worse.
Reflection:
After doing this project and seeing patients in clinic I am feeling much better about answering these questions in the office. I still feel like there are some answers that I might not have, but I look forward to learning more as different situation come up. One helpful thing that was pointed out to me was that we know a lot more than most of our patients, so as long as we are giving them accurate information they think we know everything. With more practice I'm sure I will become completely comfortable answering questions about gingival diseases. I actually role played with my mom and had her question me like she would as a patient and I was surprised by how much knowledge I actually do have about the topic.
Gingivitis is a type of periodontal disease characterized by changes in the color, contour, and consistency of the gingival tissue. Gingivitis is observed clinically from 4-14 days after the local contributing factor, plaque biofilm, accumulates in the gingival sulcus. Periodontitis is characterized by the apical migration of the junctional epithelium, the loss of connective tissue attachment, and the loss of alveolar bone. The tissue damage of periodontitis is permanent.
FAQ:
Q: If I have gingivitis will it always turn into periodontitis?
A: In many cases, gingivitis may persist for years without progressing to periodontitis. So no, you will not necessarily get periodontitis because you have gingivitis, and gingivitis is reversible.
Q: If gingivitis is reversible, then how do I reverse it?
A: It is caused by one thing- bacteria. This bacteria accumulates on your teeth and in the area between your gums and tooth surface (called the sulcus). Your body recognizes the bacteria as being an invader, and begins to defend itself. Unfortunately, in the process of defending itself, your immune system harms the tissue in your gums, too.That being said, the only way to prevent or eliminate gingivitis is to eliminate the plaque. This can be done in the following ways:1. Brush at least twice a day. It's most important to remember to brush before you go to bed, too. This is because anything you don't brush off before you go to bed will be able to sit on your teeth and have a field day for the next 8 hours. You want to brush with the bristles angled at 45 degrees to the gumline. This will remove plaque along the gumline as well as stimulate the gums it's called the "Bass Method".
2. FLOSS! They say it is harder to start flossing than it is to quit smoking. But it is so important, and most people don't even realize it. Flossing removes the plaque BETWEEN your teeth that you cannot get using a toothbrush.
3. Keep up with your visits to your hygienist or dentist. You can have the absolute BEST homecare in the world, but nothing compares to the services a hygienist can provide to you. Using her instruments, she can remove plaque and tartar bulidup below the gumline, areas you just simply cannot reach using a toothbrush, floss, or mouthwash.
Q: Is periodontitis reversible?
A: NO! You can always prevent periodontitis from getting worse, but it is irreversible. Once you have lost the attachment you can not get it back. Through good oral home care and regular visits to the dentisit for scaling and root planing you can keep it under control, and prevent it from getting worse.
Reflection:
After doing this project and seeing patients in clinic I am feeling much better about answering these questions in the office. I still feel like there are some answers that I might not have, but I look forward to learning more as different situation come up. One helpful thing that was pointed out to me was that we know a lot more than most of our patients, so as long as we are giving them accurate information they think we know everything. With more practice I'm sure I will become completely comfortable answering questions about gingival diseases. I actually role played with my mom and had her question me like she would as a patient and I was surprised by how much knowledge I actually do have about the topic.