Periodontal disease
Medical condition / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is a set of inflammatory conditions affecting the tissues surrounding the teeth.[5] In its early stage, called gingivitis, the gums become swollen and red and may bleed.[5] It is considered the main cause of tooth loss for adults worldwide.[7][8] In its more serious form, called periodontitis, the gums can pull away from the tooth, bone can be lost, and the teeth may loosen or fall out.[5] Halitosis (bad breath) may also occur.[1]
Periodontal disease | |
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Other names | Gum disease, pyorrhea, periodontitis |
Radiograph showing bone loss between the two roots of a tooth (black region). The spongy bone has receded due to infection under tooth, reducing the bony support for the tooth. | |
Pronunciation |
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Specialty | Dentistry |
Symptoms | Red, swollen, painful, bleeding gums, loose teeth, bad breath[1] |
Complications | Tooth loss, gum abscess[1][2] |
Usual onset | Getting gingivitis[3] |
Causes | Bacteria related plaque build up[1] |
Risk factors | Smoking,[4] diabetes, HIV/AIDS, certain medications[1] |
Diagnostic method | Dental examination, X-rays[1] |
Treatment | Good oral hygiene, regular professional cleaning[5] |
Frequency | 538 million (2015)[6] |
Periodontal disease is generally due to bacteria in the mouth infecting the tissue around the teeth.[5] Factors that increase the risk of disease include smoking,[4] diabetes, HIV/AIDS, family history, high levels of homocysteine in the blood and certain medications.[1] Diagnosis is by inspecting the gum tissue around the teeth both visually and with a probe and X-rays looking for bone loss around the teeth.[1][9]
Treatment involves good oral hygiene and regular professional teeth cleaning.[5] Recommended oral hygiene include daily brushing and flossing.[5] In certain cases antibiotics or dental surgery may be recommended.[10] Clinical investigations demonstrate that quitting smoking and making dietary changes enhance periodontal health.[11][12] Globally, 538 million people were estimated to be affected in 2015 and has been known to affect 10–15% of the population generally.[7][8][6] In the United States, nearly half of those over the age of 30 are affected to some degree and about 70% of those over 65 have the condition.[5] Males are affected more often than females.[5]