Periodontitis, Symptoms and Preventive Measures

According to the beverly hills cosmetic dentist, periodontitis is considered as second of the most common disease worldwide, after dental or tooth decay. It commonly refers to any disease affecting the periodontium, or the tissues that surround and support the teeth. This involves progressive loss of the alveolar bone around the teeth. If left untreated, periodontitis may lead to the loosening and subsequent loss of teeth.

Symptoms of Periodontitis

According to research done by the beverly hills cosmetic dentist, periodontitis has very few symptoms in its early stages and in many individuals, the disease has progressed significantly before they seek treatment. Symptoms to periodontitis include:

· Redness or bleeding of gums while brushing teeth, using dental floss or biting into hard food (e.g. apples) (though this may occur even in gingivitis, where there is no attachment loss)

· Gum swelling that recurs

· Halitosis, or bad breath, and a persistent metallic taste in the mouth

· Gingival recession, resulting in apparent lengthening of teeth. (This may also be caused by heavy handed brushing or with a stiff tooth brush.)

· Deep pockets between the teeth and the gums (pockets are sites where the attachment has been gradually destroyed by collagen-destroying enzymes, known as collagenases)

· Loose teeth, in the later stages (though this may occur for other reasons as well)

Patients should know that the gingival inflammation and bone destruction are largely painless even though it bleeds. Hence, people may wrongly assume that painless bleeding after brushing is insignificant, although this may be a symptom of progressing periodontitis that could lead to tooth loss.

Preventive Measures

It has been stated by the beverly hills cosmetic dentist that daily oral hygiene is the key preventive measure for any periodontal diseases. This commonly includes:

· Brushing properly on a regular basis.

· Flossing daily and using interdental brushes.

· Using an antiseptic mouthwash.

· Always use a 'soft' tooth brush to prevent causing damage to the tooth enamel and sensitive gums.

· Using periodontal trays to maintain hydrogen peroxide or other dentist-prescribed medications at the source of the disease.

· Regular dental check-ups and professional teeth cleaning as required.

Typically dental hygienists or dentists use special instruments to clean (debride) teeth below the gumline and disrupt any plaque growing below the gumline. This is a standard treatment to prevent any further progress of established periodontitis.