subject: Dental Health Care: Periodontal Disease In The United States [print this page] Periodontal diseases refer to certain infections affecting the gums. These diseases usually cause inflammation and the progressive loss of the alveolar bone around the teeth. If left untreated, a periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss. Each periodontal disease is a result of poor dental hygiene, as the disease is primarily caused by microorganisms that adhere to and thrive on a tooths surface.
There are seven classifications of periodontal diseases and conditions: gingivitis, chronic periodontitis, aggressive periodontitis, periodontitis as a manifestation of systemic disease, necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis/periodontitis, abscesses of the periodontium and combined periodontic-endodontic lesions. Of these, the last six are considered destructive as they are essentially irreversible.
The early stage of periodontal diseases has very few symptoms. Unfortunately, in many cases the condition has already progressed significantly before it is brought to the attention of a dentist. Symptoms include redness or bleeding of gums while brushing, flossing or biting into hard food, recurring gum swelling, bad breath or a persistent metallic taste in the mouth, gingival recession, deep pockets between the teeth and the gums and, in the later stages, loose teeth. It is important to emphasize that gingival inflammation and hard tissue destruction are more often painless, so in this case, pain is not necessarily a symptom. This makes periodontal diseases harder to detect.
Prevention is always better than cure, so the dentists Colorado Springs CO offer emphasize that periodontal diseases are preventable through proper dental and oral hygiene. Good oral health can be achieved through brushing properly at least twice daily, flossing, using an antiseptic mouthwash, and by seeing your dentist regularly for checkups and routine cleaning.
The cases of periodontal diseases have significantly increased in the last years. And this should be alarming, as dental care has recently become more accessible and advanced. Many dentists Colorado Springs Colorado are getting more concerned with dental health. They have started campaigns to emphasize the importance of prevention and early detection.
And these informational campaigns significantly contribute to awareness of periodontal diseases and proper oral and dental hygiene. Many of these dentists Colorado Springs CO also promote oral health by providing free consultation services.
