Gum disease

The functional anchoring system of the tooth in the bone is called the parodontium. Periodontal disease  destroys or puts this at risk.

Periodontal diseases are usually painless. Therefore, they are often not noticed by the patient themselves. The following symptoms may indicate periodontal disease:

• Bleeding gums when brushing
• Red, swollen or tender gums
• Weak or loose gums
• Bad breath

The two main forms of periodontal diseases are gingivitis and periodontitis:

Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums (more than 80% of people have signs of inflammation) which has not yet destroyed the tissue. If left untreated, however, it can develop into periodontitis. It is therefore useful to know the early symptoms and causes of gingivitis, to avoid further damage.

Periodontitis (commonly referred to as ‘periodontal disease’) is a bacterially-induced inflammation that has already caused largely irreversible destruction of parts of the gums, connective tissue or bone. Bacteria is the only cause for this condition. The nature and severity of the course of periodontal disease is largely determined by the immunological response of the patient concerned. This means that periodontitis is not classed as a localized disease of the gums but instead as an inflammatory disease. With periodontitis, therefore, it is not only the gums that are affected.

Therefore our practice’s main focus is to recognize and treat periodontal disease immediately.