Many patients come to our clinic for a routine check-up and we discover that they have an indication of periodontal disease. This is because they normalise some of the initial symptoms which, although painless, can have irreversible consequences.
Periodontal disease initially affects the gums. But, as the disease progresses, it can also affect the dental bone and the tooth.
What are the most common periodontal diseases?
Depending on the stage of the disease, different types of periodontal disease can be diagnosed. But the most common are:
- Gingivitis: characterized by being the mildest phase of the disease. At this point, the symptoms are very mild and painless, so it is quite easy to ignore them and not pay them the attention they deserve. This is why it is considered a silent disease.
- Periodontitis or pyorrhea: this is the most advanced stage of the disease. The symptoms of gingivitis persist and have developed into many more serious symptoms. In this case, the deterioration of the mouth is so severe that the consequences deriving from the symptoms can become irreversible and chronic.
What are the symptoms of gingivitis and periodontitis?
The milder symptoms, which correspond to gingivitis, are the ones that can be treated and cured. Do not normalise symptoms such as:
- Inflammation of the gums
- Change in gum colour towards reddish tones
- Bleeding of the gums during brushing or eating
When left untreated, the disease can progress and affect other areas of the mouth. Thus, the symptoms you experience if you have periodontitis are:
- All of the above symptoms of gingivitis
- Halitosis
- Gingival shrinkage
- Periodontal pocket formation
- Existence of pus between the tooth and the gum
- Loss of bone mass
- Tooth loss
As you can see, these symptoms are more serious and avoidable. Not only can you prevent it by going to the dentist for a routine check-up, but you can also avoid some risk factors.
What are the risk factors for periodontal disease?
To prevent periodontal disease you should consider the following risk factors:
- Poor dental hygiene: the accumulation of bacterial plaque is the cause of periodontal disease. In addition to proper brushing and flossing, it is necessary to have a couple of professional dental cleanings a year to ensure proper plaque removal.
- Regular tobacco use: smoking increases the formation of tartar in the mouth and thus increases the likelihood of gum infection.
- Not having regular check-ups with the dentist: at regular check-ups, the dentist assesses the health of your mouth and can identify the onset of periodontal disease. Once identified, the disease is tackled and severe consequences are avoided.
- Genetics: It has been proven that suffering from periodontal disease also depends on a genetic factor. If close relatives have had periodontal disease and you are susceptible to periodontal disease, you are likely to become infected. That is why it is important to be extremely vigilant and to prevent the first symptoms.
- Having some general diseases: there are certain diseases that decrease saliva production and make the mouth less protected, e.g. diabetes. Special attention should also be paid to hormonal changes in women or to the intake of antidepressants.
Now that you know all about periodontal diseases, what are you going to do to prevent them?
Need more information? Call us.
Contact us. Our telephone number is 651 826 636.
We are located at Av. Artista Remigio Soler López, 9, 03560 Alicante.
Clínica dental de referencia en Alicante, especializada en tratamientos de estética dental, implantología y salud bucodental integral.
