What is gum disease?
Gum disease is an Infection of the Gums and Surrounding Tissues that hold teeth in place. In healthy stage the level of bone should be around the neck of the tooth. Whereas, in periodontal disease state, the bone level has reduced.
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Is gum problem a sign of aging?
In past, people used to think that gum disease, teeth loose is normal when people getting older. However, this is not true! The good news is that gum disease can be prevented. It does not have to be a part of growing older. With thorough brushing and flossing and regular professional cleanings by your dentist, you can reduce your risk of developing gum disease as you age. If you have been treated for gum disease, sticking to a proper oral hygiene routine and visiting your dentist for regular cleanings can minimize the chances that it will come back.
Plaque Buildup Can Form Tartar. Gum disease is typically caused by poor brushing and flossing habits that allow dental plaque -- a sticky film of bacteria -- to build up on the teeth. Plaque that is not removed can harden and form tartar that brushing doesn't clean. Only a professional cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist can remove tartar.
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Health Tooth support structure: GUM tissue + bone
How a healthy gum should be looks like?
Your healthy gum should be pink in color, pyramidal in shape, not bleed easily on brushing, no bad breath.
Mild form of Gum Disease
Gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease. In the stage, it is usually painless, that's why many people choose to neglect it. The supporting bone is still intact, thus if you are able to keep good oral hygiene, the condition can go back to normal. (reversible).
Warning sign of mild form Gum disease (gingivitis): Gum red in color, Swollen, Bleeding on brushing, and Mouth odor
Severe form of Gum Disease
Warning Sign of severe form Gum Disease (periodontitis):
- Gums that bleed easily (may have spontaneous bleeding)
- Red, swollen, tender gums
- Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
- Persistent bad breath or bad taste
- Adult teeth becoming loose
- Cannot bite properly
- Pus discharge from the gum while pressing
- Denture start becoming loose.
What are the treatments for gum diseases?
In mild form of gum disease, scaling and polishing treatment is enough to remove the causative factor (plaque and calculus), and treat the disease. In sever type of gum disease, you will have to undergo scaling and polish plus root planning, and antibiotics. If such treatment does not effective in treating the disease, surgery (periodontal) may be indicated.
Pictures of root planning
Periodontal Surgery (video)
什么是牙龈疾病？
牙周病有不同的類型，最常見的是牙齦炎和牙周炎。「牙周」指的是支持牙齒的組織，包括牙齦、齒槽骨、骨頭的骨質、牙周的韌帶等等。正常健康的状况下，因该是在牙齿的颈部，如有牙周病齒槽骨的位置将会被侵蚀，骨位慢慢减低。
牙龈问题是衰老的征兆？
在过去，人们习惯认为当人们变老时，牙齿开始松动是正常的。然而，这是不正确的！好消息是，牙龈疾病是可以预防的。它并不一定是年龄老化的一部分。有了彻底的刷牙和使用牙线和定期让您的牙医专业的洗牙 （Scaling），洗牙可以降低你随着年龄患上牙周病的风险。治疗牙龈疾病后，您一定要保持正确的口腔卫生习惯，并定期让您的牙医检查及洗牙可减少复发的机会。
为什么你有牙龈疾病？
這些部位病變的成因主要是潔牙不當，造成細菌在牙齒與牙齦接縫處漸漸堆積，產生肉眼看不見，透明而黏稠的牙菌斑。細菌產生的毒素會刺激牙齦，造成牙齦發炎、浮腫、易出血。牙菌斑日積月累，連同唾液中的物質會形成牙結石，然後牙結石上方再蓋一層牙菌斑，如此不斷地交互堆疊，「就像珊瑚生長一樣，」中華民國牙周病醫學會監事陳柏堅形容。
健康牙齿状况
健康的牙龈应该是什么样子的？
轻微牙龈疾病
牙龈炎的警示：牙龈呈红色，肿胀，刷牙时容易出血和口腔有异味。
严重牙龈疾病
牙周炎 （Periodontitis），一个更严重的形式，可以破坏支持牙齿的软组织和骨。它可以进一步分为早，中，后期阶段。在牙周病的严重的形式，它是不可逆的，意思就是说因为其周围牙齿的骨已损失使它不能恢复之前完好的牙龈状况。如果不及时治疗，牙周炎可导致牙齿脱落！有些牙龈疾病甚至在咀嚼时会引起牙龈肿痛和疼痛。
严重的牙龈疾病（牙周炎）警示 ：容易出血的牙龈（可能有自发性出血），红，肿，牙龈疼痛， 牙龈慢慢往下移，严重口臭问题，成人牙齿松动，不能咬东西，脓液从牙龈排出，假牙开始松动。
牙龈疾病的治疗方法？
牙龈炎，只要牙医的专业洗牙就足以去除致病因素（菌斑和牙石），治疗疾病。而严重的牙周炎，你将不得不接受牙医专业洗牙加根面平整和抗生素治疗。如果这样的治疗不有效治疗该疾病，就得进行牙周手术。
牙根面平整 （root planning）
牙周手术 （影像）
