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Even in a healthy mouth, there are hundreds of species of microorganisms that can cause serious dental issues. Some of these bacteria are salubrious, while others are injurious. Most adults, about 90 percent of the population, have chronic gingivitis. Although the disease might sound serious, it rarely is. The most severe symptoms include tender, swollen, red gums that might bleed more easily and produce an unpleasant odor, also known as halitosis or bad breath.
When left untreated, however, the disease can progress and become full-blown periodontitis. This condition can be quite severe, since it attacks the gums and teeth and may lead to serious infections, inflammation, abscesses, and even tooth loss. Periodontitis often damages the bone and connective tissue that supports the teeth and it always requires immediate medical periodontal treatment.
The main culprit
As we mentioned, all mouths contain bacteria. When these bacteria accumulate on or near the gum line, they form plaque. A viscous admixture of bacteria, saliva, and food particles, plaque can cause irritation of the sensitive gum tissue. The good news is that it can be removed with regular brushing, rinsing, and flossing. The bad news is that if it is ignored, plaque can harden into a calcified deposit that cannot be cleaned by normal means.
Only a dentist or dental hygienist is qualified to remove these accretions. All the brushing in the world will not improve your oral health if you have tartar deposits along your gum line. Gingivitis always precedes periodontitis, although the symptom for either disease may range from unnoticeable to quite painful.
Who is at risk?
While acute periodontitis does occasionally occur in juveniles, adults are far more likely to suffer from it. In fact, a recent study found that 75 percent of American adults have some type of gum disease. Only a fraction of that number is aware of the problem, since it presents no symptoms. But many of them will suffer more serious consequences, including dental pain or tooth loss.
About one-quarter of elderly Americans (over the age of 70) are entirely edentulous, i.e., they have no teeth. Periodontitis is the most common cause of tooth loss in this country and around the globe. There are ways to reduce your expose to this painful and embarrassing problem, and most of them include regular periodontal treatments.
Prevention
Healthy eating habits are obviously important when it comes to oral health. Sugar should be eliminated or at least limited, since it helps facilitate bacterial growth. Eating foods that are rich in vitamins and nutrients may also prevent gum disease. But more than anything else, proper oral hygiene is essential. Patients, especially older ones, are instructed to brush, rinse, and floss at least two times a day in between periodontal treatments.
If tooth loss should occur, and occasionally it is inevitable, cosmetic dental procedures can correct the problem. Dentures, bridges, and dental implants are the popular and reliable treatments for missing molars. All of them are virtually pain and risk free, although costs range widely. Dentures are relatively inexpensive because they are removable and require regular maintenance. Bridges are a more permanent option, but they can cause increased risk of bacterial infection and inflammation. Dental implants are easily the most durable and worry-free option, but they can be extremely expensive. Most periodontal treatments that involve implants cost thousands of dollars.
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