Am Fam Physician. 2014;90(9):653-654
Author disclosure: No relevant financial affiliations.
A 74-year-old man presented with pain in his mouth. The pain had been present for a few months but had recently increased in intensity. He had not had recent dental work and did not see a dentist regularly. He did not have a history of oral, head, or neck surgery. He did not have fever, chills, swelling of the face or neck, or discharge or drainage from the area.
On physical examination there was diffuse erythema of the gums with mild edema and tenderness. The patient had thick deposits at the gum line that could not be wiped off. There were areas of erythema, gum recession, and increased movement of the teeth. There was pain when moving the teeth. There was no purulence, facial edema, or lymphadenopathy.
Question
Discussion
The answer is C: periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is the loss of gum attachment at the base of the tooth, creating at least one pocket.1 Periodontal disease leads to a calculus comprised of bacteria, acid, food, and saliva located above and below the gum line that cannot be wiped off. This calculus creates pockets along the dentition, providing space for infection, inflammation, and breakdown of the bone and tissues that support the teeth. This causes loose teeth, erythema, edema, bleeding, and pain.
Nearly 50% of adults in the United States have periodontitis, usually with pocket formation around multiple teeth. Men, Mexican Americans, and smokers are at highest risk. The incidence of periodontal disease is inversely proportional to income and education level.2
Adolescents are prone to Actinobacillusactinomycetemcomitans infection that canrapidly and aggressively cause periodontitis.3Pregnancy-related gingivitis can progress tomore severe disease. Some diseases are associated with higher rates of periodontal disease,including diabetes mellitus, human immunodeficiency virus infection, and autoimmunedisease. Medications such as bisphosphonates,phenytoin (Dilantin), cyclosporine (Sandimmune), and nifedipine (Procardia) have beenlinked with gingival and jaw changes thatcontribute to periodontal disease.4
Early treatment of periodontal disease helps prevent tooth loss and includes removal of calculi above and below the gum line. There is no indication for antibiotics. Education and prevention include encouraging patients to brush after meals and f loss daily. Later treatment includes more invasive and surgical approaches.
Dental abscesses are localized infections resulting from the introduction of bacteria into a gingival pocket or as a progression of decay into the pulp. They cause pain, inf lammation, purulent drainage, lymphadenopathy, and facial edema. Systemic symptoms, including fever, chills, and malaise, may also occur.
Dental caries or cavities are the result of decay in the enamel that subsequently causes tooth decay. It is identifiable as dark spots of tooth destruction that occur at any location on the tooth. This causes localized pain, hot or cold sensitivity, and pain with eating.
Plaque gingivitis is a reversible condition defined by gingival erythema and soft plaque deposits that are easily wiped off. It is distinguishable from periodontal disease because there is no calculus and pocket formation or tooth destruction. Gingival irritation may be related to poor dental hygiene and is common in pregnancy and in persons with diabetes.
| Condition | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Dental abscess | Localized infection; pain, inflammation, purulentdrainage, lymphadenopathy, and facial edema; possible systemic symptoms, such as fever, chills, and malaise |
| Dental caries | Destruction of enamel and subsequently tooth structure; dark spots, localized pain, hot or cold sensitivity, and pain with eating |
| Periodontal disease | Chronic gingival disease; pocket formation and gingival recession; characterized by the presence of calculus and tooth destruction |
| Plaque gingivitis | Reversible gingival erythema and inflammation; soft plaque formation that is easily wiped off; no calculus and pocket formation or tooth destruction |
