Specialist Dental Professionals provide answers to the most commonly asked questions in respect of various dental technologies and expertise. From the list below choose one of the FAQs topics. If you have a question which is not in this section, please contact us.
What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease is a slowly progressing inflammatory disease that destroys the gum and bone, which are the supporting structures of the teeth.
How do I know if I have periodontal disease?
One usually has some or all of the following; bad smelling breath, bad taste, bleeding gums when brushing teeth, loose teeth, food remaining between teeth after meals, painful teeth when biting and receding gums.
What causes periodontal disease?
Bacteria which accumulate within the plaque on inadequately cleaned teeth, are the major cause.
How is this disease treated?
The initial phase of treatment will involve the removal of the chalk and plaque deposits around the necks and roots of inadequately cleaned teeth and being taught effective brushing techniques.
Gum surgery may be necessary in advanced disease.
Why should this disease be treated?
The main reason to treat this disease is to preserve one’s teeth. Without treatment most, if not all the teeth, will eventually be lost.
Can this disease be prevented?
Regular visits to your dentist, who will assess the health of the supporting gums and bone and will perform professional tooth cleaning procedures. Meticulous home care will ensure that the plaque is kept at a low level.
Strict and regular professional maintenance for the duration of your life together with excellent plaque control is essential for prevention of periodontal disease.
Is there a genetic component to this disease?
One has the predisposition to develop periodontal disease which is inherited.
Is the disease contagious?
Not in the strictest sense of the word as in touching an infected person. A susceptible person may pick up the bacteria that cause the disease from someone who already has the disease.
Can periodontal disease affect my general health?
Yes. There is accumulating evidence that periodontal disease contributes to heart disease and low birth weight babies.
Why do some people who look after their teeth well suffer from periodontal disease?
Why do some people who look after their teeth well suffer from periodontal disease, whereas others who hardly ever brush their teeth do not? The presence of plaque, genetic predisposition to the disease, smoking and systemic diseases such as diabetes all play a role in the development of periodontal disease.
What should one do if no disease is present?
If you have not noticed any problems, you are still at risk for developing gum disease and the single most important measure you can take to prevent this disease is to learn how to brush properly to remove the germs that cause this disease.
Am I at risk for getting periodontal disease?
If you are a smoker, high alcohol consumer, and are “stressed”, visit your dentist infrequently, have any systemic diseases such as diabetes and have poor brushing habits.
If you think you have this disease what should you do?
Tell your dentist what you have noticed. The dentist will use a special periodontal probe to check your gums for periodontal pockets and take x rays to ascertain whether there is any bone loss around your teeth.
Are there any complications if the disease is not treated?
If untreated, periodontal disease will cause you to loose your teeth, the bad odor may impact on your social life and there is accumulating evidence that your heart can be affected by the same germs that cause gum disease. Pregnant mothers with periodontal disease give birth to underweight and premature infants.
Is there any alternative treatment?
It is unwise to put your trust in “alternative treatment” such as mouth washes, multi vitamins, antibiotics and homeopathic remedies and the like.
