What is Periodontitis?
Periodontitis is a condition that if left untreated will lead to tooth loss and bone loss as well. The meaning of the word “periodontal” means around the tooth. Periodontitis is a disease that affects the surrounding tissues around the teeth. The gum, the ligament that holds the tooth in place called periodontal ligament and the bone supporting the teeth are all affected by this condition. The early form of periodontal disease is called gingivitis. In gingivitis there is not evidence of clinical bone loss. This is how periodontal disease begins: We all have bacteria in the mouth and this bacteria forms a substance that adheres to our teeth called plaque. Brushing your teeth will reduce the amount of plaque that builds on your teeth. Also, visiting the dentist for a regular cleaning will eliminate the build up in those areas that are difficult to reach. When Plaque stays on your teeth for a long time, it hardens to a substance that looks like coral and is called tartar. Tartar further” Protects” bacteria by providing shelter for bacteria to thrive on. The poorer the hygiene habits are, the more the chances are that periodontal disease will develop. This is why: When bacteria metabolize nutrients they also produce toxins that are very harmful to the tissues around the teeth. This toxins will trigger a chronic inflammatory response that will make your gums bleed and eventually will destroy your own bone. As the disease progresses the attachment of the ligament is lost were it used to be, and there is a migration towards the root of the teeth. As time goes by, If left untreated, more bone loss occurs because pockets of loose gum are formed around your teeth and at that time the plaque and bacteria becomes more difficult to remove. Your tooth brush cannot reach to the bottom of the pockets. Severe amounts of bone loss will loosen your teeth and the possibility of developing root caries goes higher. I called periodontitis the silent killer for various reasons. First, Periodontal disease is rarely painful. People live throughout their lives with periodontal disease and they don't even know it. Only when the bone is severely affected an access can form and cause pain. Second, Periodontal disease is not visible unless you are a dentist and can see the classic signs. No one can really see it. Unlike a cavity that forms a hole, periodontal disease requires a series of parameters to determine it’s existence. Periodontal disease is not Addressed properly by the media or even other health professionals. Periodontal disease is one of the major causes of tooth loss and can potentially produce lethal infections. Also, most patients that suffer from periodontal disease function perfectly normal. That is, until the disease has progressed to the point where the tooth loss actually occurs. Usually at that stage it is already too late. The best way to prevent periodontal disease is to visit your dentist regularly and observe good home hygiene habits. Good home care alone is not sufficient, it only represents 50% of the battle against bacteria. Periodontal disease have been linked to many systemic diseases like: heart disease, diabetes and lung infections among others.