Periodontitis is an extreme case of gum disease also known as periodontal disease. This is a serious condition impacting the patient’s oral health. The stages of periodontal disease are gingivitis, slight periodontal disease, moderate periodontal disease, and finally, advanced periodontal disease. Patients should know once the disease has progressed beyond the gingivitis stage, it is incurable and they will be required to do what is called periodontal maintenance. These are thorough cleanings, far more involved than normal cleanings, and occur every three to four months. This needs to be performed for the rest of the patient’s life which is an incredible commitment.Gum disease is an infection which damages and destroys not only the supportive structure for your teeth, but also the underlying bone structure of the jawbone. This is problematic because in some cases if the bone is too far gone it is not strong enough to support dental implants which greatly diminishes the number of possible treatment options.
Causes of Aggressive Periodontitis
This serious disease can destroy gums, jawbones, soft tissue and even teeth. According to the American Dental Association, it is the single leading cause of tooth loss. When plaque reaches beneath the gums, tissue and bone begin to breakdown. There are different types of periodontitis. The first is chronic periodontitis and is the most common. This includes pocket formation and gum recession and tends to strike adults. Aggressive periodontitis causes incredibly rapid loss of bone and gums. Necrotizing periodontal disease is when gum tissue, alveolar bones and periodontal ligaments begin to die. This occurs in patients with poor nutrition or conditions like HIV.
Symptoms of periodontitis include the swelling of gums, tender areas on the gumline, overly red gums, bleeding gums, and spaces developing between teeth. Chronic bad breath and discharge around the base of the tooth are indicators too.
Aggressive periodontitis is very serious and should be addressed immediately. If you think you have this condition contact us.
