Periodontitis - You Could Be At Risk!

Published Jan 26 2010

Periodontitis is a serious gum disease, and can also cause cancer in the head and neck, according to Science Daily. Periodontitis is described as the loss of tissue and bone around the base of the teeth. Good oral health can help prevent this particular type of cancer, called head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Connected with other serious health problems like high blood sugar levels, Periodontitis can also increase the risk of stroke and heart attack. About.com also describes periodontitis as an irreversible gum disease and can cause serious tooth damage and loss. It occurs when gingivitis, an earlier, milder stage of gum disease is left untreated. The most common cause of periodontitis is poor oral hygiene, according to the Web site.

The disease isn’t always obvious at first, because the very base of the tooth, at the root, is the first to go, and this is usually hidden by the gums. Loose permanent teeth often indicate periodontitis. Often, the only way to really know if you have gum disease or how to treat it is to have a dentist examine it for you. This is certainly the safest way.

Periodontitis is irreversible but treatable, if enough bone remains around the root to still support the tooth, according to Associated Content: Health and Wellness. The Web site outlines several ways to check for periodontitis, including checking for pain in the mouth, bleeding, swelling or tenderness in the gums, spaces between the teeth, or persistent bad breath. It also says to watch for receding gum lines (or “longer teeth”), pus between the teeth and gums, sores in the mouth, and a change in the way the teeth fit together when biting.

Periodontitis can be treated by a dentist or by a periodontist (who specializes in treating gum disease). Kidshealth.org outlines four basic ways periodontitis can be treated. The first is by scraping away the built-up plaque and tartar from the teeth, both below and above the gum line. Another is antibiotics, usually taken with the scraping method to prevent inflammation and infection. This can be anything from medicated mouthwash to antibacterial gels placed in the infected pockets to slowly kill bacteria. Serious cases of periodontitis may require surgery, with the periodontist cutting open the gums, cleaning out the badly diseased gum pockets, and sewing the gums back tighter than they were before. If the situation is really severe, it may require the periodontist to graft pieces of gum tissue from other parts of the mouth in order to sew the gums back up over the teeth.

Periodontitis begins with unattended gingivitis, and its development isn’t overtly obvious until it becomes serious. It is treatable, but not reversible. Thus, prevention is key. This involves brushing and flossing the teeth and gums on a regular basis (especially before you go to bed) with a gentle toothbrush, eating healthfully, and visiting the dentist regularly. This disease is easily preventable, and the steps taken to prevent are far simpler, easier, and less expensive than dealing with the consequences of advanced gum disease.