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Patient Information
Periodontal
disease is a bacterial infection that destroys the attachment
fibers and supporting bone that hold your teeth in your mouth.
This infection is usually painless until it is almost too late
to save teeth.
Did you know?
Almost 85% of all adults have some signs of periodontal disease.
Left untreated, periodontal disease - including gingivitis and
periodontitis - can lead not only to bad breath, swollen gums
and tooth loss, but as research shows, may also have an adverse
effect on one's general health. Periodontal disease has been
linked to –amongst others - heart disease, stroke, diabetes and
complications with pregnancy. For more information on how
periodontal disease affects your overall health,
click here
The main cause of periodontal disease is plaque, a sticky
colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth, and contains
potentially harmful bacteria. Daily home care, including proper tooth
brushing and flossing, is essential to prevent plaque buildup. If plaque
is not removed, it can harden into a substance called calculus (also
known as tartar) in two days.
Calculus is so hard it can only be removed through professional
tooth cleaning.
Plaque gets into the space between the gum
and the tooth, causing the gums to become
inflamed and bleed easily. This early stage
– known as gingivitis – is completely
reversible. Professional cleaning and good
home care are usually enough to restore
healthy gums with no permanent damage to
supporting bone structure.
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If gingivitis
is left untreated, however, the tissues begin to break down in
the space around and between the gum and tooth. These “pockets”
that are formed, along with the bone loss that occurs, are signs
of periodontitis.
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Treatment is
aimed at stopping further damage, and reversing the escalation
of the disease. As the infection progresses, more bone and
tissue are destroyed. The pockets deepen severely and may hold
pus. The teeth become extremely loose and may fall out or need
to be extracted.
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At this stage,
treatment is critical. Untreated adult periodontitis can lead to
tooth loss and an increased risk for developing other, more
serious diseases.
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