About Periodontal Disease
Periodontics Presentation
To provide you with a better understanding of periodontics, we have provided the following multimedia presentation. Many common questions pertaining to periodontics are discussed.
If left untreated, periodontal disease can erode your teeth and eventually lead to tooth loss. In people who are genetically prone to periodontal disease, the buildup of plaque is a leading factor in its development. Toxins found in the bacteria within plaque aggravate the gums, causing them to redden and to swell. Calculus, a rough substance, may also form from plaque. Without proper treatment and care from a specialist, spaces, or periodontal pockets, between the gum and the teeth begin to appear. Still, despite these possible visible symptoms, periodontal disease may appear to be symptomless, leaving a patient unaware of the infections. In fact, periodontal disease may be painless for different individuals and, by the age of 45, is present in 80% of Americans.
What Causes It
Plaque, a sticky substance that forms on teeth and around the gums, causes both periodontal disease and tooth decay. Right after cleaning, plaque resumes to develop and the bacteria present in it continues to stick to teeth and gums. For this reason, brushing and flossing your teeth on a daily basis is highly stressed. If no attention is given to the formation of plaque around the teeth and gums, the substance can harden into calculus, requiring a professional cleaning to remove.
The Bacterial plaque produces toxins or poisons that irritate the gums, which may (but not always) cause them to turn red, swell and bleed easily. If this irritation is prolonged, the gums separate from the teeth, causing Periodontal Pockets (spaces) to form along the tooth. As periodontal diseases progress, the supporting gum tissue and bone that holds teeth in place deteriorate. If left untreated, this leads to tooth loss.
