South African Dental Association Gauteng South Branch

Periodontics is the clinical discipline that deals with diseases of the supporting tissues of the teeth. Periodontal disease is caused by the germs which accumulate around the necks of inadequately cleaned teeth.

These germs infect the edge of the gum and in time will progressively grow down between the roots of the teeth, loosening the gum from the tooth to form a periodontal pocket. These pockets are filled with bacteria and debris which then allows further bone destruction to occur.

It is impossible for you, the patient, to access these pockets to keep them clean. As the gum is loosened around the tooth, this disease is called periodontal disease. [ perio – around, dontal -teeth]

A Periodontist is a practitioner who specializes in treating these diseases. As this is an extremely common disease, how would one know that one has the disease? All or any of the following should alert you to the possibility:

• bleeding when brushing your teeth
• looseness or shifting of teeth which are painful when chewing and biting
• receding gums
• bad mouth odor and a bad taste
• trapping of food between the teeth

If you think you have this disease what should you do?

Tell your dentist what you have noticed. The dentist will use a special periodontal probe to check your gums for periodontal pockets and take x rays to ascertain whether there is any bone loss around your teeth.

How is this disease treated?

Treatment of this disease can be very simple or quite extensive depending upon the severity. The essential core of any periodontal treatment is to be taught thorough and effective methods of tooth cleaning and to have professional cleaning of the teeth which will include removal of all the superficial debris and chalk from around the necks of teeth as well as cleaning the pockets and the roots and only then to have any extensive treatment that may be necessary.

In severe cases your dentist will probably consider it necessary to refer you to a Periodontist for further more extensive treatment and management of the disease process.

An important point to remember is that once treated, the disease may recur at the same site or different sites. Regular and ongoing professional maintenance is essential for the rest of your life if this disease is to be kept in check

What should one do if no disease is present?

If you have not noticed any problems, you are still at risk for developing gum disease and the single most important measure you can take to prevent this disease is to learn how to brush properly to remove the germs that cause this disease.

Is there any alternative treatment?

It is unwise to put your trust in “alternative treatment” such as mouth washes, multi vitamins, antibiotics and homeopathic remedies and the like.

Are there any complications if the disease is not treated?

If untreated, periodontal disease will cause you to loose your teeth, the bad odor may impact on your social life and there is accumulating evidence that your heart can be affected by the same germs that cause gum disease. Pregnant mothers with periodontal disease give birth to underweight and premature infants

Am I at risk for getting periodontal disease?

If you are a smoker, high alcohol consumer, and are “stressed”, visit your dentist infrequently, have any systemic diseases such as diabetes and have poor brushing habits.

Any or all of these factors will place you in a high risk group for developing periodontal disease.