Control The Progression Of Periodontal Disease - Your Teeth Depend On It!
Posted by Goody on 02/4/08 in Health and Fitness
Dentists and dental hygienists gauge periodontal disease using a tool called a periodontal probe. Eventual tooth loss is likely over the years in patients with periodontal disease who have pockets 5 mm or deeper around their teeth. In the absence of any dental hygiene activity, a study of Sri Lankan tea laborers shows that approximately 10% of people will suffer from severe periodontal disease with rapid loss of attachment.
The gums do not connect to the teeth as tightly as one might believe. The sulcus, which is a shallow, V-shaped gap, exists between the teeth and the gums. Periodontal disease affects this gap. The disease causes the tissues supporting the teeth to eventually break down.
Periodontal disease left untreated causes the destruction of the gums, alveolar bone, and the outer layer of the tooth root. The condition is usually seen as a chronic inflammatory disease. The first stage is gingivitis, an inflammation of the outermost soft tissue of the gums.
Only the gums are involved at this stage, and the tissues surrounding them break down. Adult periodontitis is the most serious form of periodontal disease, involving connecting tissues and bone. Localized juvenile periodontitis is a less common form of periodontal disease and is seen mainly in young people.
One of the objectives of periodontal disease treatment is to catch and control the progression of the bacteria that cause gingivitis and periodontal disease. Treatment such as scaling and root planing involve the removal of the irritants and bacterial deposits that have built up above and below the gum line in the periodontal pockets. Scaling and root planing is done in two to four visits, most of the time.
There’s another important reason for periodontal disease treatment. You can easily pay out thousands of dollars each year trying to avert heart disease, paying large amounts for prescription medicines, shelves of healthy cookbooks, fitness machines for your home, and a gym membership.
Periodontist Sally Cram, DDS, a spokeswoman for the American Dental Association says, “There are a lot of studies that suggest that oral health, and gum disease in particular, are related to serious conditions like heart disease.”
The main cause of periodontal disease is plaque, a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. You can remove plaque by brushing and flossing regularly. You should also visit your dentist twice a year for checkups. If your periodontal disease goes untreated, destruction of gum and bone attachment to the teeth continues.
Your home regimen of oral care combined with regular visits to your dentist will give you an excellent chance of keeping your teeth for a lifetime.
Want more information on periodontal disease? Then visit our web site!
Tags: dental health, gum disease, periodontal disease, teeth problems
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