Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults older than 40. It is also the most preventable disease known to man. It starts innocently as Gingivitis, or a swelling of the gums. This is common in teenagers and young adults. As patients reach their 30's, it can progress to moderate Periodontitis. If left untreated, it can become advanced in the 40's, and severe in the 50's and above. It is caused by bacteria that live below the gum line, and between the teeth, where a toothbrush cannot reach. The bacteria release toxins, which cause the body to send chemicals to the sight to defend itself, called inflammation.

Unfortunately, chronic inflammation destroys the ligaments and bone that support the teeth. The bone loss is irreversible. The bone reacts to inflammation much like a patient who has arthritis. In advanced and severe periodontal disease, the teeth loosen or get infected, and are lost. Most patients who have dentures lost their teeth to periodontal disease that was not treated or controlled. There are other factors that can cause the disease to progress more rapidly. These include individual immune responses, patients with diabetes, poor nutrition, immuno-compromised patients and smoking.

We screen for periodontal disease at least once a year on all of our patients, and recommend the appropriate treatment when necessary.

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