Periodontal disease is an inflammatory condition of the gums and tissues surrounding a tooth. It is caused by bacteria that form plaque on the surface of the teeth, which can then harden into tartar if left untreated. This build-up of plaque and tartar can lead to infection, gum inflammation, and, ultimately, loss of teeth.
Periodontal disease can be caused by a variety of factors, such as poor oral hygiene practices, smoking or tobacco use, genetics, diabetes, hormonal changes in women during pregnancy or menopause, and certain medications. If left untreated for too long, periodontal disease can lead to bone and ligament damage around the affected area as well as weakened immune system functioning.
Classifications Of Periodontal Disease
While periodontal disease can be mild and reversible, it can lead to serious oral health issues if left untreated. To better understand how to care for your teeth, knowing the different classifications of periodontal disease is essential.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums caused by plaque build-up and bacterial toxins on the teeth. If not treated, it can cause irreversible damage to the gum tissue and bone structure. Symptoms include red, swollen gums that bleed easily when brushed or flossed, persistent bad breath, and receding gums. Gingivitis can usually be reversed with proper brushing and flossing techniques combined with regular professional dental cleanings.
Periodontitis
Periodontitis is an advanced form of gum disease that involves inflammation and deterioration of the connective tissues beneath the gums. It occurs when plaque builds up in hard-to-reach areas below the gum line, leading to pockets around the teeth where bacteria can grow unchecked. Symptoms include puffy red gums, tenderness upon chewing or brushing teeth, visible pus between teeth and gums, bad breath, loss of jawbone density due to infection or other reasons, loose teeth, bite changes due to shifting teeth positions and more serious systemic health problems like diabetes complications or heart disease. Treatment typically includes scaling — removing plaque from below the gum line — along with antibiotics or even surgery in some cases.
Aggressive Periodontitis
Aggressive Periodontitis is a rare form of the periodontal disease characterized by rapid progression leading to severe destruction of soft tissue and bone loss in adolescents or adults younger than 35 years old who have no history of periodontal problems in their family tree. In addition to symptoms associated with periodontitis, such as receding gums or loose teeth, aggressive periodontitis may also show signs such as abscesses on either side of a tooth root without any evidence of decay on an X-ray image (radiographically occult). Treatment options vary depending on severity but could include antibiotics and deep cleaning procedures like scaling or root planing.
By understanding what type of periodontal disease you have been diagnosed with, you will be able to ensure that you are making informed decisions regarding your oral health care routine and receive specific treatments tailored towards your individual needs from your dentist. Regular visits with your dental provider are vital for keeping up with preventive care measures so that your oral health remains at its best!
How To Deal With Periodontal Disease
Additionally, it is essential to note that while proper oral hygiene practices like brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily are essential in preventing periodontal disease from developing in the first place, regular dental checkups are still required to ensure any signs are caught early enough to prevent further damage from occurring.
Early diagnosis is key to successful treatment, where scaling and root planing are often used to reduce plaque build-up on both surfaces of the teeth. In more extreme cases, surgical procedures may be necessary for removing bacterial deposits even below the gum line.
In conclusion, it is essential for individuals to practice good oral hygiene habits on a daily basis in order to avoid developing periodontal diseases in their lifetime since it places them at risk of losing their teeth permanently due to irreversible tissue destruction of surrounding structures caused by the spread of bacteria over time.
