Periodontitis

PERIODONTITIS is an inflammatory disease affecting the tissues that surround the teeth.

Typical symptoms may include bleeding of the gums, spitting out blood after brushing teeth, bad breath or gingival recession. The last consequence of an untreated periodontitis is losing the teeth.

Dentists and dental hygienists measure this disease using a device called periodontal probe.

Periodontitis is very common and is widely regarded as the second most common disease worldwide.

The primary cause of periodontitis is poor oral hygiene, which leads to the accumulation of a bacterial matrix.

Smoking is another factor that increases the occurrence of this illness.

The initial therapy includes the removal of microbial plaque by scaling and root planing. This therapy is painfree as it is done with local anesthetic.

Once the therapy has been successfully completed a periodontal maintenance is required: This involves regular check-ups and detailed cleanings every

3-4 months.

The best prevention is brushing the teeth properly on a regular basis, flossing daily, using an antiseptic mouthwash and regular check-ups in a dental office getting a clinical examination and evaluating the patient’s X-ray films.

Specialists in the treatment of periodontitis are called ‘periodontists’.