Do you have periodontal disease? You're going to lose your teeth!
Is that really so? How and why did you end up in this situation? And what should you do next?!
Periodontitis, popularly known as “periodontosis”, is a very common disease among adults. In Romania, 80% of the population suffers from periodontal disease. Even so, many people don't take the situation seriously, which results in tooth loss and the development of systemic diseases.
Although it is a serious condition, periodontal disease can be treated. The earlier it is diagnosed, the smaller the consequences for your oral health and the look of your smile.
What is periodontal disease?
Periodontitis, or periodontal disease, is a bacterial infection that affects the periodontium – the tissue that supports the teeth. The inflammation caused by the bacterial attack leads to resorption of the bone that holds the tooth in the jaw. The disease usually progresses slowly, but if left untreated it leads to tooth loss, as the teeth no longer have adequate bone support.
Periodontal disease is the main cause of tooth loss
Believe it or not, this condition is very common in Romania and around the world, and is responsible for 40% of the teeth an adult loses. According to a recent 2018 study by the Romanian Society of Periodontology and Implantology, the disease affects about 80% of Romania's population, in severe forms in 30-34% of cases. And people aged between 35 and 44 are more likely to develop it.
In short, it affects 1 in 2 Romanians over 40.
If you don't pay attention to these signs, you could lose your teeth!
- Swollen gums.
- Very red gums.
- Gum recession. The gums pull back, making the teeth look longer, often with the root exposed.
- Bad breath and/or a constant unpleasant taste in the mouth.
- Pain when chewing.
- Loose teeth.
- Periodontal pockets forming.
- Bleeding when chewing food or brushing your teeth
- In some cases, very advanced infection can lead to localised gum abscesses, which can be very painful.
If you notice any of these symptoms, book an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. Specialist preventive care should be carried out regularly to remove plaque and stop periodontal disease from progressing. Daily oral care – proper brushing and using dental floss, a water flosser and mouthwash – is also indispensable!
Factors that contribute to periodontal disease
Certain factors increase the risk of developing periodontal disease, such as stress, genetics and age. Smoking, poor oral hygiene habits, an inadequate diet and obesity can also affect the gums.
In addition, teenagers, women taking oral contraceptives and pregnant women are at greater risk of developing periodontal disease because of changes in hormone levels in the body.
What can you do if you have periodontal disease?
Treating periodontal disease is particularly complex and mainly aims to slow or stop the disease from progressing. Ultimately, dentists recommend that patients cooperate and visit the dental surgery regularly to prevent the final stage of the disease, which leads to tooth loss.
After diagnosing periodontal disease, a dentist may recommend certain procedures and draw up a treatment plan. The first step in treating periodontal disease is scaling (professional cleaning), which removes plaque and tartar from the root surfaces. After scaling, adjunctive therapy such as antimicrobial medication is usually started.
The treatment itself depends largely on the stage of the periodontal disease, but it aims at preventing the destruction of the supporting tissues, controlling the infection and preventing the teeth from becoming loose.
So, as with other dental conditions, prevention is decisive when it comes to periodontal disease. Isn't prevention better than cure?
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