What is periodontal disease?

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Periodontal disease (or more correctly periodontitis) is a disease of the periodontium, more simply a disease of the tissue that anchors the tooth in the jaw. This disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, ahead of tooth decay.

The disease begins with inflammation of the gums, most often due to poor oral hygiene. The inflammation is caused by bacteria that form plaque. They produce secretions that irritate the gums.

The result is gum inflammation. If the deposits remain, they harden into tartar, which sticks firmly to the teeth and slowly grows deeper and deeper below the gums like a crystal. Tartar consists of millions of living bacteria which, because of the mineralized structure, cannot be removed with a toothbrush. They multiply and thrive, increasing the inflammation. Over time, the ligaments and the bone that anchors the teeth to the jaw progressively and gradually degrade. A so-called pocket develops between the gum and the tooth. In this pocket, bacteria and tartar can in turn grow and thrive undisturbed and gradually cause greater and greater degradation of the bone. Teeth loosen, gums look swollen and bleed at the slightest touch. When this pocket has reached a certain depth, pus can also form.

This degenerative process is chronic and progressive. What is mined will never regenerate and is lost forever! The dentist can use appropriate treatments to slow down or stop the inflammation, but only if the person concerned also gets their oral hygiene perfectly under control. If not, then the disease is predestined to become active again and leads to increasing bone loss until the tooth becomes so loose that it has to be removed or falls out by itself.

Periodontal disease, without timely medical diagnosis, very often goes unnoticed for a very long time. The affected person only notices more frequent gum bleeding when they want to thoroughly clean the teeth and the spaces between them and often also suffers from bad breath.

Do you have questions? Then write to me!
I am happy to answer your questions.

Yours, Lorenza Dahm

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