Ode to Gums

The term periodontal diseases means diseases related to the periodontal ligament or periodontium, which means diseases occurring near or around a tooth. A branch of dentistry dealing with the study and treatment of disease of the periodontium is called as periodontics. The tissues investing and supporting the teeth including the cmentum, periodontal ligament, alveolar bone, and gingival is termed as periodontium. In general gum diseases, gingivitis can be assigned in a group termed as periodontitis,an inflammatory reaction of the periodontium.It can also be a degenerative disorder of periodontal structures marked by tissue destruction. The gums are the soft tissues which develop the alveolar processes of the upper and lower jaws and surround the neck of the teeth. These are composed of dense fibrous tissues covered by stratified squamous epithelium. Alveolar nerve, greater palatine,nasopalatine nerve along with lingual nerve play the role of nervous connections to gums. Healthy gums are bright pink in colour. But due to nutritional deficiencies, improper oral hygiene may cause various gum diseases. The earliest sign of pyorrhea alveolaris is a deep redline along the free edge of gum. One of the inflammatory conditions of the gingivae is Vincents stomatities in which ulceration of gingival margin and formation of a pseudo membrane. In this condition very bad smell will occur inside mouth. Another condition in which painful purple red indurate papule found on the alveolar margin in the region of molar or premolar the along with foul smell is termed as Cancrum oris.In dental abscess, swollen gum is sometimes a feature.

People who are working in lad polluted areas, blue lines may be seen along the alveolar margin. As age advances the gums recede and teeth appear longer. The gums may bleed on palpation which becomes swollen, spongy and tender in a condition called scurvy .here defective formation of collagen impairs healing of wounds and causes capillary hemorrhage, and reduced platelet adhesiveness. Dietary deficiency include not consuming fruits and vegetables for more than two months and feeding infants exclusively on boiled milk, this can precipitate vitamin-C deficiency.Trauma,surgery,burns,infection,smoking,drugs such as corticosteroid intake, aspirin consumption can also lead to increase in requirement of vitC In pyorrhea, the initial symptoms are enlargement and inflammation of the soft tissue and bleeding of the gums. Without treatment, the soft tissue deteriorate and the alveolar bone may be reabsorbed causing loosening of the teeth and recession of the gums. In general, periodontal diseases often caused by poor oral hygiene by local irritants such as bacteria,imparted food,cigarette smoke or by a poor bite. In order to maintain a healthy gum, proper cleaning of gums along with teeth is essential. More or less cleaning with water after chewing more starch, glucose content food is a must. Keep in mind that gums are the foundation for strong and healthy teeth.