| Periodontal disease or periodontitus is a disease of | | | | undisturbed. Symptoms of periodontal disease include |
| the connective tissue supporting the teeth which | | | | redness, swelling and bleeding of the gums, halitosis, |
| causes progressive bone loss and eventual loss of | | | | pockets between the teeth where bone shrinkage |
| the teeth. The underlying cause of the disease is | | | | has already occurred and loosening or loss of teeth in |
| undisturbed bacteria growth, usually between the | | | | later stages of the disease. By far the best way to |
| teeth or along the gum line. Severe forms of the | | | | treat periodontal disease is to use preventative |
| disease will lead to loosening and loss of the teeth if | | | | measures. These include - twice daily brushing - |
| untreated. While severe forms of the disease are | | | | flossing - use of an antiseptic mouthwash - regular |
| uncommon, the milder forms occur in approximately | | | | check ups and cleaning by a dentist Brushing the |
| 50% of the population over age 30 Periodontal | | | | teeth properly at least twice daily and using proper |
| disease is thought to occur more frequently in people | | | | brushing techniques so that the bristles of the brush |
| who have been diagnosed with gingivitis in the past. | | | | reach below the gum line. It's important to break up |
| Gingivitis is inflammation of the gum tissue. Other risk | | | | the developing deposit of bacteria that hide in these |
| factors for periodontal disease include smoking, | | | | areas. An interdental brush may be useful if the |
| inherited tendencies, and poorly managed diabetes. | | | | spaces between the teeth are large enough. Proper |
| There is increased susceptibility to periodontal disease | | | | flossing techniques also assist in breaking up bacterial |
| in people who have Downs Syndrome. The growth | | | | deposit. A mouthwash such as chlorhexidine |
| and buildup of microorganisms on the teeth and gum | | | | gluconate or hydrogen peroxide will halt bacterial |
| line will result in formation of hard deposits called | | | | growth as well. Avoid the use of mouthwash which |
| bacterial plaque which become dental calculus if left | | | | contains alcohol. |