Periodantal disease

Also commonly known as gum disease because it affects the tissues surrounding the teeth. Like most oral diseases, careful general hygiene and a yearly trip to your dentist will quickly identify and correct the situation.

Periodontal(or periodontal) disease is usually identified by the inflammation of the tissues surrounding the gums. It arises from when the bacterial present in dental plagues, a film that develops on the teeth surface and acts as a nutrient rich zone for micro-organisms.

When this film is left to accumulate without good oral hygiene and dental visits, the micro-organisms multiply rapidly and in so doing use the nutrients on food fragments and the plague and produce toxins that affect the teeth and the soft tissues of the mouth. The body in response to the bacterial infection counteracts by triggering an immune response against the invasion and in essence attacking itself because the bacteria are located on the body. The body's reaction acts on the teeth and tissues and gradually the teeth and tissues surrounding the teeth become worn out and the teeth is eliminated with the surrounding tissues inflamed and damaged.

The periodontist is a dentist with additional training in the diagnosis and treatment of Periodontal diseases. At the onset with mild irritation of the gums usually accompanied  by a redness in the gum , the disease can be treated non surgically. The periodontist actually cleans the plaque and tartar (which are older coats of plaque and are not easily removed). However in the later stages of the disease with heavy tooth decay and gum destruction, surgical procedures are employed.

This video describes Periodontal Disease (also known as periodontitis or gum disease) and the treatments used by dental professionals.

Oral health is very important for humans, therefore we should start visiting pediatric or your family dentists when the baby starts teething to avoid gum disease and take care of oral health.