What are periodontal diseases and what are the symptoms?
Periodontal diseases are infectious-inflammatory diseases that affect the structures and gums surrounding the tooth. They are caused by the accumulation of bacteria and tartar around these dental structures. When this accumulation only affects the gums we call it gingivitis and when it goes inside the gums and affects the bone that supports the teeth we speak of periodontitis.
The problem with this disease is that it gives very few warning signs, at first it goes unnoticed, in fact, some time ago it was called the invisible epidemic. Therefore, the following symptoms, which are listed below, should be treated by a specialist: bleeding gums, bad breath, swollen gums, reddened gums, separation of teeth, tooth mobility, receding gums, hypersensitivity of the teeth and gum accesses and abscesses.
How are periodontal diseases treated?
The objective of the treatment is to eliminate the accumulation of bacteria and tartar around the teeth and inside the gums, using mechanical instruments such as curettes and sonic and ultrasonic instruments for the elimination of these bacteria and tartar. The treatment in some cases requires small surgical interventions to access the bottom of these pockets of pyorrhea to remove these bacteria and tartar, even in some cases we have techniques that allow us to rebuild the bone that has been lost because of this periodontal disease.
As a chronic disease, it requires continuous periodontal maintenance and regular visits throughout the rest of the patient’s life to prevent relapse and recurrence of the disease.
What effects do periodontal diseases have on general health?
Periodontal diseases have multiple effects on multiple organs and health in the body. Patients with periodontal disease are more at risk for cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction and pulmonary diseases such as pneumonia. It has also been observed that pregnant patients with periodontal disease have a higher risk of suffering premature births or having low birth weight babies.
It has also been observed that periodontal diseases have a direct relationship with diabetes, since these patients have an alteration in glycemic control and can lead to greater complications and vice versa: diabetic patients also create a greater susceptibility to these periodontal diseases.
The disease has also been linked to smoking, which is a major risk factor for these periodontal diseases and it has been shown that patients who smoke have three times the risk of suffering from these periodontal diseases.
Are periodontal diseases contagious?
Periodontal diseases are not contagious like the flu or pneumonia, what has been observed is that the bacteria that produce these periodontal diseases can be transmitted from one person to another and in a susceptible person or a person with risk factors can produce the appearance of periodontal disease. Patients with periodontitis who live with or have stable partners for many years can transmit the disease, so it is recommended that partners and children who live with patients with periodontal disease have a thorough examination.