Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease that can be defined as a tissue destroying infection of the gums and bone that support your teeth. “The word ‘periodontal’ means ‘around the tooth’” (American Accreditation Healthcare Commission, 2013, p. 1). Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the gum and tissues that surround and support the teeth. If left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss. Understanding the stages with their symptoms, risk factors and causes along with the treatments and the personal prevention of periodontal disease is important because the disease can be life threatening. The first step to understanding periodontal disease is to understand the different stages of the disease.
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“Chronic periodontitis is the most common type of periodontitis” (American Accreditation Healthcare Commission, 2013, para. 13). At this stage, all the other symptoms are still present and the gingiva is now starting to recede, showing more of the root and causing the affected area to become sensitive. There is also a moderate deep pocket reading and loss of bone support causing slight tooth mobility. “It can begin in adolescence but the disease usually does not become clinically significant until people reach their mid-30s” (American Accreditation Healthcare Commission, 2013, para. 13). If this stage of the disease is left untreated, the symptoms can lead to tooth loss. Aggressive periodontitis is another stage of periodontitis. “This form of periodontitis usually affects young individuals, often during puberty, from 10 to 30 years of age, with age genetic predisposition” (Genco & Williams, 2010, p. 8). The aggressive periodontitis symptoms include loose teeth, pus between the gums and teeth, sores in the mouth, along with persistent bad breath, and there could be a change in the way teeth fit together when biting down (American Academy of Periodontology, …show more content…
It is important to stabilize the periodontal condition and maintain great periodontal health. It is also important to re-motivate and re-educate patients on proper home care. Patients that are placed in supportive therapy are put on a frequent perio recall to help maintain the periodontal condition, usually a three to four month recall. There are some simple and easy ways to prevent periodontal disease. Some examples are, having proper homecare with the right tools and instruction, along with routine professional dental cleanings by a dental hygienist or dentist. Proper homecare includes, flossing, brushing, and the use of a mouthwash.
Flossing should come before brushing, and if you do not like flossing more than once a day, that is ok, just make sure you are flossing at night, right before bed. Dental floss can either be waxed or unwaxed, and is critical in cleaning between the teeth where the toothbrush cannot reach. The correct way to floss goes as follows: break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around the middle finger of one hand and the rest around the other middle finger, hold the floss between the thumbs and forefingers, this allows you to be in control. Gently guide and rub it back and forth between the teeth. When it reaches the gum line, the floss should be curved around each tooth and slid gently back and forth against the gum. Finally, rub gently
“Chronic periodontitis is the most common type of periodontitis” (American Accreditation Healthcare Commission, 2013, para. 13). At this stage, all the other symptoms are still present and the gingiva is now starting to recede, showing more of the root and causing the affected area to become sensitive. There is also a moderate deep pocket reading and loss of bone support causing slight tooth mobility. “It can begin in adolescence but the disease usually does not become clinically significant until people reach their mid-30s” (American Accreditation Healthcare Commission, 2013, para. 13). If this stage of the disease is left untreated, the symptoms can lead to tooth loss. Aggressive periodontitis is another stage of periodontitis. “This form of periodontitis usually affects young individuals, often during puberty, from 10 to 30 years of age, with age genetic predisposition” (Genco & Williams, 2010, p. 8). The aggressive periodontitis symptoms include loose teeth, pus between the gums and teeth, sores in the mouth, along with persistent bad breath, and there could be a change in the way teeth fit together when biting down (American Academy of Periodontology, …show more content…
It is important to stabilize the periodontal condition and maintain great periodontal health. It is also important to re-motivate and re-educate patients on proper home care. Patients that are placed in supportive therapy are put on a frequent perio recall to help maintain the periodontal condition, usually a three to four month recall. There are some simple and easy ways to prevent periodontal disease. Some examples are, having proper homecare with the right tools and instruction, along with routine professional dental cleanings by a dental hygienist or dentist. Proper homecare includes, flossing, brushing, and the use of a mouthwash.
Flossing should come before brushing, and if you do not like flossing more than once a day, that is ok, just make sure you are flossing at night, right before bed. Dental floss can either be waxed or unwaxed, and is critical in cleaning between the teeth where the toothbrush cannot reach. The correct way to floss goes as follows: break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around the middle finger of one hand and the rest around the other middle finger, hold the floss between the thumbs and forefingers, this allows you to be in control. Gently guide and rub it back and forth between the teeth. When it reaches the gum line, the floss should be curved around each tooth and slid gently back and forth against the gum. Finally, rub gently