|
Too Many ignore treatable Periodontal Disease
What is Periodontal Disease? What damage does it inflict? How does it happen? How is it treated and how can it be prevented?
The primary reasons dentures are ever necessary is because of periodontal disease (commonly known as pyorrhea). Despite the fact that treatment for periodontal disease is understandable, treatable and invariably controllable, people still neglect their gums.
Periodontal disease refers primarily to soft tissue and bone destruction around the teeth. When a tooth loses its bone support, trouble follows. The tooth is no longer a strong, functional tooth. Periodontal disease is caused by bacterial plaque. Plaque is the nearly invisible coating that continually forms on the teeth. When plaque is not completely removed once in every 24- hour period, it causes inflammation of the tissues- which leads to periodontal disease.
A primary symptom of periodontal disease is inflammation with varying degrees of bleeding, but the great danger lies in the accompanying damage to the underlying bone. Many people become victims of this common disease because they cannot actually see the underlying bone destruction occurring. All a person may know is that the gums are sore and bleed regularly, and that food catches. You can be certain that because of the infection present that there is also halitosis (bad breath).
How is periodontal disease treated? Surgery is often performed to remove the source of the inflammation and bring the tissues back to normal health. However, biting irregularities must also be corrected. It is important that the teeth close properly. Missing teeth must be replaced to give the patient proper biting surface. The disease will not cure itself. Without treatment, more tissue will become involved; more bone will be destroyed.
How can it be prevented? The two destructive forces that can destroy the mouth are bacterial plaque and neglect. The patient can control both- if the desire is there. A person can remain free of periodontal disease only if they learn bacterial toxic control. Prevention requires that the patient learn new and different ways of cleansing the mouth, including the teeth and gum crevice. Methods of cleaning include brushing, flossing and gum (mouth) rinses.
I recommend a complete dental examination including a full series of radiographs to diagnose if there is any periodontal involvement. This is the first step to keeping your teeth all your life.
|
|
