In the United States, 47.2% of adults 30 years or older suffer from some form of periodontal disease (1). If left untreated, it could lead to serious health problems.
Let's talk about what periodontitis is and how you can prevent its severe consequences.
What is Periodontitis?
Periodontitis (also called periodontal disease) is gum disease. This infection damages the soft tissue around your teeth and wears away the bone supporting them. If left untreated, the disease eventually ruins the bone, loosening the teeth and causing them to fall out.
When you eat, drink, and talk, harmful microorganisms settle on teeth and gums. If you don't get rid of them quickly enough, they can seep through the pockets surrounding the tooth or cuts in your gums left by vigorous brushing. Left in a favorable environment, bacteria multiply. As your body reacts to fight it, inflammation occurs.
The most common cause of periodontal disease is bacterial plaque that develops on the surface of your teeth. If not removed with regular cleaning, the plaque can harden and turn into tartar and calculus.
A diligent approach to oral health can help prevent periodontitis. As it progresses, you may need surgery to deal with the consequences. If left untreated, the gum disease leads to tooth loss and many other health problems.
Symptoms of Periodontitis
If you notice any of the following symptoms, it's time to make a dentist appointment.
Red or swollen gums
Easily bleeding gums
Loose or shifting teeth
Bad breath
Gum inflammation
Even though the above symptoms could also signal other conditions, you still need to take immediate action.
Gingivitis vs Periodontitis
Gingivitis is gum inflammation. This condition usually precedes periodontitis but doesn't necessarily lead to it.
At this stage, you may experience easy bleeding when brushing your teeth and notice slight gum inflammation. However, your teeth don't shift or appear loose since the bone and tissue are still in good shape.
The most common cause of gingivitis is plaque. However, it can also be triggered by hormonal changes, poor hygiene habits, and smoking.
If left untreated, gingivitis is likely to lead to periodontitis.
Who is at Risk of Developing Periodontitis?
Gum disease can be a hereditary problem. So if periodontitis runs in your family, you need to pay special attention to oral hygiene.
Smoking is an independent well-established risk of periodontitis (2). It can also affect the success of treatment. That's why smokers are a high-risk group.
Other risk factors are:
Hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause
Diabetes
AIDS
Cancer
Stress
Certain medications (3)
Complications from Periodontal Disease
The top complication of periodontal disease is tooth loss. However, periodontitis could also trigger such conditions (4) as:
Rheumatoid arthritis
Alzheimer's disease
Cardiovascular diseases
Inflammatory bowel disease
Rectal cancer
Obesity
Pregnancy complications
It's vital to act upon the first signs of periodontitis to prevent serious consequences for your teeth and the rest of your body.
Treatment Options
If diagnosed in time, periodontitis can be battled successfully. The most common treatment options are:
Scaling - removing tartar and bacteria from the surface of your teeth and beneath the gums.
Root planing - smoothing the surface of tooth roots to make it harder for the bacteria and tartar to stick as well as removing existing buildup.
Antibiotics - using topical and oral antibiotics to keep the bacterial infection at bay.
Patients with severe periodontitis may need surgery to restore the bone and regenerate gum tissue.
Don't Leave Periodontitis Unattended
Periodontitis is a serious condition, which can lead to tooth loss, heart disease, arthritis, and many other complications. If you take good care of your oral health, it's possible to prevent periodontal disease.
For more information about periodontitis prevention and proper oral hygiene, please contact your dentist today.
Sources:
cdc.gov/oralhealth/conditions/periodontal-disease.html
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3633395/
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8910823
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6603141/
