Unfortunately, periodontitis is usually painless causing a delay in seeking help. Bleeding gums and gum recession are usually the earliest signs noticed by patients. Loose teeth are clinical signs of advanced periodontitis. Luckily, general dentists, as well as other specialists, are well trained in identifying periodontitis. Your dentist will evaluate your periodontal condition and refer you to a specialist if further treatment is indicated.

Research shows that people who develop periodontal disease and don’t receive treatment are at far greater risk of losing their teeth than people who do receive treatment.
Not only does periodontitis affect oral health, but there is also undisputed evidence that periodontal disease is a risk indicator of cardiovascular disease. People who have periodontitis are more likely to suffer from strokes and other cardiovascular diseases. The mechanism of this relationship is complex and not quite understood yet. Some of the theories describe a heightened inflammatory condition in the whole body due to bacterial insults in the periodontal tissues.

Over the last century, dentists and periodontists have developed multiple treatment modalities to treat and control periodontitis. Non-surgical therapy consists of scaling and root planning (deep cleaning). This removes most of the local factors that cause the disease, including bacterial plaque and plaque infected calculus. Surgical therapy, however, remains the treatment of choice for advanced periodontitis. Different surgical techniques are applied by the periodontist. The aim for surgical intervention is to either re-establish lost tissues (Regenerative periodontal treatment) or to stabilize the dental condition (Resective periodontal treatment) allowing for proper hygiene and maintaining teeth. Ask Dr. Shwetha about which treatment is best for you.

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