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Early Signs of Periodontal Disease: Are You Ignoring These Warning Signs?
Periodontal disease is a common oral disease, especially chronic periodontitis, which is one of the seven types of periodontitis defined by the American Academy of Periodontology in its 1999 classification system. It is usually caused by the accumulation of large amounts of dental plaque, leading to chronic inflammation of the periodontal tissues. Initially, periodontitis develops from gingivitis, which, if not treated promptly, may eventually lead to the more serious aggressive periodontitis.
Because the progression of chronic periodontitis is often painless, many patients may not seek dental care in the early stages.
Chronic periodontitis affects approximately 35% of adults in the United States, and the cumulative effects of alveolar bone destruction, attachment loss, and pocket formation become more pronounced with age. Risk factors for the disease vary, including smoking and lack of good oral hygiene. Symptoms of chronic periodontitis may not be apparent in the early stages, but once it develops, the following warning signs may appear:
Early Warning Signs
- Gums that are red, swollen, or bleed when you brush your teeth.
- Gum swelling recurs or is accompanied by bad breath.
- Gum recession causes the teeth to appear elongated.
- Deep pockets appear between the teeth.
- In the later stages, teeth may become loose.
Painless gum bleeding is often considered unimportant by patients, however it may be a sign of progressive chronic periodontal disease.
Diagnostic Challenges
The challenge in diagnosing chronic periodontitis is its slow and painless progression. Early diagnosis is critical, especially in the mild to moderate stages, because once symptoms of active disease appear, the damage may be too severe by the time treatment is sought. Correct diagnosis needs to include:
- Pocket Depth
- Clinical attachment loss
- Bleeding on probing
- Dental plaque index
- Imaging examination
Treatment methods
Effective treatment includes good oral hygiene, regular dental checkups, and professional cleanings when necessary. For smokers, quitting smoking should be a priority because smoking can make the disease worse and reduce the effectiveness of treatment. Nonsurgical treatments such as scaling and root planing are the preferred initial treatment, while surgical procedures such as open flap scaling may be used if necessary.
Based on the research, systemic antibiotics can be used in conjunction with clean therapy, showing additive efficacy in some cases.
The impact of systemic factors
In addition to local factors, systemic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease are also associated with chronic periodontal disease. People with diabetes may develop more severe periodontal disease because high blood sugar levels affect the body's immune response, leading to increased inflammation. The inflammation of periodontal disease may also lead to poor control of diabetes.
ConclusionKnowing the early signs of periodontal disease is key to preventing further damage. When you get your teeth cleaned again, will you pay special attention to these potential warning signs?
