You have probably noticed the commercials on television referring to Gingivitis and Periodontitis.  Yet a lot of people still don’t know very much about Periodontal Disease even after hearing about it.  Following is an outline that we hope will be helpful.

What is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal Disease is the most common chronic inflammatory disease in the country.  It is an infection of the tissues that surround your teeth and primarily caused by the bacteria that collect between your teeth and gums.  There is a small crevice, or sulcus, between the tooth and gums that is normally three millimeters or less. If you have periodontal disease, this space grows and is called a pocket.  As the disease worsens, these pockets get larger and more bacteria accumulate.  If left untreated, the bone around the teeth is destroyed, and the teeth may become loose, abscessed, or even fall out. 

Early periodontal disease starts in the gums, and is called gingivitis.  With appropriate treatment Gingivitis is reversible. Without treatment it progresses and eventually affects the bone around the tooth and becomes Periodontitis. Periodontal Disease can be stopped, but the bone loss is permanent. 

Who Gets Periodontal Disease?

While Periodontal disease can affect anyone these factors increase your risk: . 

         Ineffective brushing and flossing habits

         Smoking and/or chewing tobacco

         Broken fillings, crowns or teeth.

         Pregnancy, Puberty, and Oral Contraceptives.

         Medications.

         Systemic diseases like diabetes and blood cell disorders.

Periodontal Disease has warning signs that often do not cause discomfort. Some of these warning signs include:

         Gums that bleed easily.

         Red and swollen gum tissue.

         Persistent Bad Breath.

         Receding Gums.

         Changes in the way your teeth come together when you bite.

It is also possible to have periodontal disease with no warning signs.

Prevention and Treatments 

The best way to prevent periodontal disease is to have regular examinations and cleanings while maintaining good oral hygiene at home.  We usually treat moderate Periodontal Disease by cleaning your teeth thoroughly every three months until we are convinced that it is under control.  More severe cases include deep scalings.   We may also recommend the use of topical or oral antibiotics.  In rare cases, we have to turn to surgical procedures.