What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease is an infection in man and other animals, which will occur in most animals. It affects the gums and bony supporting tissues that hold the teeth in their sockets. The battle of bad breath takes place as soon as a patients dental cleaning is completed because a sticky transparent layer begins to form on the surface of the teeth. Over a period of time, infection will build and the supporting jawbone will recede from the area of inflammation. Eventually the teeth will be lost if home or professional dental care is not performed. Smaller dogs and cats lose their teeth more quickly because they have less bone to lose.
Gum disease, or more correctly called “periodontal disease”, is a bacterial infection in the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. It is characterized by gum tissue that is red, puffy, and bleeds easily when touched with a toothbrush, floss or dental instrument. Advanced stages of periodontal disease are different from gingivitis because the infection has destroyed the bone supporting the teeth, causing eventual tooth loss. The treatment is more involved at these stages, usually consisting of a special cleaning with anesthesia and sometimes gum surgery. The advanced warning signs of gum disease include: • Permanent teeth that are loose or separating • Gums that have pulled away from teeth • Any changes in the fit of partial dentures • Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite • Persistent bad breath or foul taste • Blood on toothbrush Early detection and treatment is critical to prevent tooth loss and disfigurement.
Almost half of Australian adults have some form of periodontal disease. However the majority of these people do not even realize they have it. Periodontal disease (also known as gum disease) is a bacterial infection of the gums, bones and periodontal ligament (attachment fibres that support the teeth and hold them in the jaw). Periodontal disease is usually painless and silent, until its advanced stages. If left untreated, symptoms can include: • Persistent bad breath • Gums that bleed when you brush your teeth • Red, swollen and tender gums • Gums that have pulled away from the teeth • Loose or separating teeth • Pus between the gum and tooth • A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite Our practice is specially set up to treat and prevent the symptoms of periodontal disease.
Often referred to as “gum” disease, periodontal disease is an inflammatory disease of the gums that results in the gradual and progressive destruction of the bone and ligament that hold the tooth in the jaw. It is caused by bacteria in plaque both above and below the gum line. If left untreated it can lead to the teeth becoming loose and having to be removed, or even falling out. Periodontal diseases are usually slow in progressing and it can take a number of years for enough bone loss to occur for the teeth to become loose. However, the severity of the disease can vary from one person to another. Treatment becomes more difficult as it progresses but it can be very successfully treated in the earlier stages. The initial treatment is carried out by the periodontist with help from the hygienist but the day to day care of your gums is up to you. The visits to our hygienists and their advice will help you maintain your teeth. Regular removal of the plaque and calculus that causes gum disea
“Periodontal” literally means “around the teeth”. Periodontal disease is when the gums, bone and connective tissue around the teeth become diseased. Periodontal disease can range from very slight and easily controllable to severe and not controllable. It is usually caused by a combination of several factors: 1. Insufficient oral hygiene. Sometimes the patient cannot clean the areas properly, and sometimes they simply aren’t. 2. Poor general health of the body, making it susceptible to disease. Conditions such as Diabetes, poor nutritional habits and smoking can weaken your body’s resistance to periodontal disease. 3. Functionality problems with the teeth themselves. Grinding and clenching of teeth can worsen periodontal disease. Missing teeth that have never been replaced and become tipped can exacerbate the condition as well. Periodontal disease frequently can cause the loss of teeth if not treated. Although you may be aware of some of the more visible signs of this disease such as bl
