There is more than one periodontal disease. The two most common are gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is a disease in which the gums get inflamed and bleed easily. Periodontitis is an infection that starts in the crevice between the tooth and the gum. This infection can destroy the bone that anchors the tooth and cause tooth loss.
Gingivitis is usually treated by a thorough tooth cleaning, although additional treatment with antibiotics may be necessary for some patients. Periodontitis usually requires more extensive cleaning procedures. Surgical treatment is often necessary for more advanced cases. Antibiotic and chemical treatments are often valuable treatment additions.
The bacteria that live in the mouth in dental
plaque, the sticky film that coats your teeth, cause most periodontal disease.
There are some other factors like genetics, tobacco use, your overall health and stress level
that influences the development of periodontal disease
At the early stages periodontal disease takes a
dentist using a special tool to probe under the gums before it will be detected.
That’s because it is a “silent disease” without beginning symptoms. These
are the WARNING
SIGNS of more advanced disease.
No, not in the usual sense. Although it technically can be transmitted that’s not the way people get it.
Some periodontal disease acts like a cold. You
get over it but can get it again. Some forms are like high blood pressure. The
disease can be controlled but not cured and you’ll always have it.
Early disease is easy and inexpensive to treat.
Advanced disease can be very destructive. Controlling these forms can be
expensive. It can also be very expensive to repair the damage done by the
disease when it’s resulted in tooth loss.
Modern periodontal treatment is usually no worse
that regular dental treatment.
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