Gum diseases | Cityhammas

Dental health is a significant part of a person's overall health. The problem with many dental diseases is that with the exception of cavities in teeth they can progress insidiously and go unnoticed. Although the prevalence of tooth decay, i.e. cavities in teeth, has gone down in Finland, gingivitis (gum inflammation) and periodontitis, which destroys the attachment of teeth to the jawbone, are still common. Nearly every Finn is at some point in their lives in need of treatment for gingivitis. In addition to gingivitis, the majority of people over the age of 40 are afflicted with some form of periodontitis. Fortunately, only a small part of the population, approximately 10 per cent, suffer from a severe form of periodontitis.

The reason for gingivitis is the bacterial film, plaque, that builds at the gum line of our teeth, especially between the teeth. The accumulation of this bacterial film is furthered by tartar, fillings and crowns which are wider than the tooth and untreated cavities. If the teeth aren't cleaned sufficiently, the bacterial film grows rapidly, and as a result, gingivitis develops. The bacterial film causes an inflammation and opens the gum pocket. As the bacteria grow, there is a threat that the attachment of the teeth is damaged below the gum, and untreated this develops into periodontitis. In addition to the bacteria, the development of periodontitis has to do with various patient-related predisposing factors, such as a predisposition to the build-up of tartar, constrictions and malocclusion of teeth, various general diseases and medication, and smoking.

As the cause of gum diseases is bacterial film, the treatment is the regular removal of the bacterial film. The daily cleaning of your teeth by yourself is an effective way of treating and preventing gum diseases. Through their own efforts, dental care professionals provide you with the preconditions for successfully treating yourself. Even when treated, gum diseases require regular maintenance treatment and the patient's active participation in the process.

The goal in treating periodontitis is to stop the destruction of the attachment of teeth to the jawbone in cooperation with the patient, thus reaching a functionally good result. During basic treatment the bacterial film and tartar are removed with specialist instruments, usually using local anaesthesia. With some patients, the treatment can also include systemic or local antibiotic treatment in conjunction with the deep cleansing of the gum pockets and root surfaces of the teeth. Then a bacterial sample is taken from the gum pockets, which have become deeper, and the antibiotic treatment is directed at the bacteria cultured from the gum pocket sample. If the inflammation has progressed deep into the attachment, various kinds of gum surgery and root canal treatment may be necessary.

As a result of the treatment and with the inflammation disappearing, the gum retracts and the teeth seem longer and the gaps between teeth wider than they did before. Accordingly, cooperation with other specialists in the field of dentistry is often required in the treatment of far advanced periodontitis.

The basic or specialist treatment of gum diseases is always followed by maintenance treatment. This means that the patient has to come to regular check-ups with the intervals between check-ups individually determined. During the check-up the situation is assessed, and if necessary, supportive care measures are then easy to carry out. Dental hygienists often provide their own expertise to the basic and maintenance treatment of gum diseases.

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