FAQ's
Why is my dentist sending me to a periodontist?
Dr. Simon has advanced training in the treatment of periodontal disease.
Patients with periodontal infection have lower resistance to periodontal bacteria. This causes a continuing gum infection that can grow in bursts of activity. When your infection has a "burst" of growth, or when there are signs that this is may occur, periodontal treatment may be recommended. Some factors that can cause a dramatic speed-up of your periodontal inflammation are:
Dental plaque
Smoking
Genetic factors
Stress
Diet
Age
Illness
What is periodontal disease and how did I get it?
Periodontal disease (also known as "periodontal infection", "gum disease" or "pyorrhea") is an ongoing infection in the gums around your teeth. The cause of periodontal disease is infectious bacteria, which gets deep into your gums and causes inflammation. This inflammation destroys the bone that supports your teeth. If left untreated, it leads to tooth loss. If I have periodontal disease, shouldn't I have felt symptoms? Infections in the mouth are usually not painful. Until periodontal disease is in its advanced stage, you will not begin to have any symptoms. If left untreated, advanced periodontitis can cause pain, swelling, and other serious oral problems. These serious infections in the mouth can put you at increased risk of oral infections. These infections may put patients at increased risk of respiratory diseases, heart diseases (research suggests twice the risk of a heart attack), and other serious bodily diseases. Therefore, successfully treating periodontal (gum and bone) infections may lead to a healthier body!!! What are the symptoms of periodontal disease? Because periodontal infection grows under your gums, you can have no symptoms at all. Patients with more advanced periodontal disease may experience some of the following symptoms:
Bad breath
Deep pockets around the teeth
Gums receding around the teeth (longer looking teeth)
Loose or shifting teeth
Missing teeth
Red, swollen or tender gums
Spaces between the teeth
Tooth sensitivity to heat/cold
Does periodontal treatment hurt?
What is going to happen on my first visit?
On your first visit to our office, Dr. Simon will perform a periodontal examination. You should experience little, if any, discomfort during this examination. If necessary, x-rays will be taken to further evaluate any loss of bone around your teeth.
Afterwards, your findings and options for treatment will be thoroughly explained. At that time, Dr. Simon will answer any questions you may have.
Why must I start treatment right away?
It is likely you have been referred to Dr. Simon because your general dentist has noticed an increase in infection activity.
Periodontal infection eats away at the bone that supports your teeth (leading to tooth loss). If left untreated, a patient can suffer pain and swelling, and ultimately bone and tooth loss.
What are the medical consequences, if I delay treatment?
Periodontal disease is an ongoing infection which becomes inflamed. When this inflammation gets into the bone around your teeth, it then enters your blood stream. From there it travels to other parts of the body and contributes to many medical problems.
Recent research has found that patients with periodontal inflammation are more than twice as likely to have heart disease and stroke. Is there a relationship between smoking and periodontal disease? According to the American Academy of Periodontology, there is a link between smoking and periodontal disease. Studies have shown that tobacco use may be one of the most significant risk factors in the development and progression of periodontal disease. Smokers are much more likely than non-smokers to have calculus form on their teeth, have deeper pockets between the teeth and gums and lose more of the bone and tissue that support the teeth.
Recent studies have shown that tobacco use may be one of the most significant risk factors in the development and progression of periodontal disease. In addition, following periodontal treatment or any type of oral surgery, the chemicals in tobacco can slow down the healing process and make the treatment results less predictable.
How does smoking increase your risk for periodontal disease?
As a smoker, you are more likely than nonsmokers to have the following problems:
Calculus plaque that hardens on your teeth and can only be removed during a professional cleaning Deep pockets between your teeth and gums Loss of the bone and tissue that support your teeth.If the calculus is not removed during a professional cleaning, and it remains below your gum line, the bacteria in the calculus can destroy your gum tissue and cause your gums to pull away from your teeth. When this happens, periodontal pockets form and fill with disease-causing bacteria.
If left untreated, periodontal disease will progress. The pockets between your teeth and gums can grow deeper, allowing in more bacteria that destroy tissue and supporting bone. As a result, the gums may shrink away from the teeth making them look longer. Without treatment, your teeth may become loose, painful and even fall out.
Is gum disease hereditary?
According to the American Academy of Periodontology, research proves that up to 30% of the population may be genetically susceptible to gum disease. Despite aggressive oral care habits, these people may be six times more likely to develop periodontal disease. Identifying these people with a genetic test before they even show signs of the disease and getting them into early interventive treatment may help them keep their teeth for a lifetime. Is gum disease contagious? According to the American Academy of Periodontology, periodontal disease may be passed from parents to children and between couples, according to an article in the September 1997 issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association. Researchers suggest that bacteria causing periodontal disease are passed though saliva.
This means that when a family or couple come into contact with each other's saliva, they're at risk for contracting the periodontal disease of another family member. Based on this research, the American Academy of Periodontology recognizes that treatment of gum disease may involve entire families. If one family member has periodontal disease, the AAP recommends that all family members see a dental professional for a periodontal disease screening.
Several recent studies support the association between periodontal (gum) disease and family members: Periodontal (gum) disease may be passed from parents to children and between a couple, according to an article in the September 1997 issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association. Researchers suggest bacteria that cause periodontal disease pass though saliva. This means that the common contact of saliva in families puts children and couples at risk for contracting the periodontal disease of another family member. Periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss. Up to 30% of the population may be genetically susceptible to developing severe periodontal disease, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology. These findings could result in the early identification and treatment of at-risk patients.
If left untreated, periodontal disease will progress. The pockets between your teeth and gums can grow deeper, allowing in more bacteria that destroy tissue and supporting bone. As a result, the gums may shrink away from the teeth making them look longer. Without treatment, your teeth may become loose, painful and even fall out.
How is periodontal disease treated?