Gum Disease Case Study

Are There Any Factors That Increase the Risk of a Woman Experiencing Gum Disease?

Yes, there are several factors that increase a woman 's risk of periodontal disease:

Menstruation – Just prior to the onset of menstruation (period), some women experience bright red, inflamed gums that bleed as well as sores on the inside of their cheeks. This form of gum disease is referred to as ‘menstruation gingivitis.’ This condition usually begins directly before her period begins and clears up as soon as menstruation starts. Pregnancy – Women who are pregnant and have periodontal disease may cause the baby to be born too early and be too small; however, this link has yet to be firmly established and more research is necessary to confirm this relationship.

Once this evaluation is complete, the dental professional will have the information necessary to determine the patient’s periodontal

Periodontists specialize in treating gum disease and replacing missing teeth using dental implants.

Non-Surgical Treatments

Tray delivery system – a custom-fit tray is created for the patient. The tray is used at home as a means to deliver medications prescribed by the dentist. This tray is similar to the trays traditionally used to deliver fluoride treatments.

Root planing and scaling – this procedure involves carefully removing plaque and tartar from the deep pockets that have formed around the teeth. During this procedure, bacterial toxins are removed. Following root planing and scaling, some patients will receive additional therapies.

Surgical Procedures

Laser treatment – studies reveal that laser treatment for periodontal disease provide similar results to those achieved with scaling and root planing.

Gum graft surgery – this procedure is used to develop gum tissue or cover the roots of teeth where excessive gingival recession is present.

Regenerative procedures – these procedures are used to regenerate bone and tissue that has been lost due to periodontal