Periodontitis is the end result of gingivitis, an infection of the gums. When the infection spreads into the ligaments and bone beneath the teeth, the disease is considered to have progressed to periodontitis.The disease can have severe complications, including the loss of teeth.
Types
According to the American Academy of Periodentology, there are different types of periodontitis. Chronic periodontitis is the most common and occurs slowly over time as a progression of gingivitis. Aggressive periodontitis comes on suddenly in people who otherwise are exhibiting no tooth problems or other health issues. Periodontitis resulting from systemic disease comes about as a side effect of something else, such as diabetes or heart disease. Necrotizing periodontal disease is common in immunocompromised individuals such as those with AIDS.
Symptoms
The Mayo Clinic describes the symptoms of periodontitis as including swollen, tender and red or purple gums, bad breath, loose teeth, a change in bite pattern, spaces developing between the teeth, and pus or blood at the gumline. The teeth may also appear to be longer than usual, the result of a pulling away of the gums from the teeth. Periodontitis can also cause teeth to loosen and fall out.
Causes
The underlying cause of periodontitis is gingivitis, a disease of the gums. Gingivitis develops when the gums become inflamed and infected because of bacterial plaque that builds up in the gumline, as Medline Plus, a publication of the National Institutes of Health, explains. Poor oral hygiene is typically the cause of this infection. As gingivitis progresses, the infection spreads to the ligaments and bone under the teeth, starting a periodontitis infection.
Treatment
A full cleaning of the teeth, including scaling to remove hard deposits on the teeth, is the main form of treatment for periodontitis. The deep pockets beneath the gums may also require cleaning if the infection has progressed that far down. If specific teeth are severely infected, surgery may be necessary to remove those teeth. Home care after treatment, including following a consistent brushing and flossing schedule, is essential to ensure that the disease does not recur. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, there is a success rate of approximately 85 percent when, after treatment for periodontitis, home treatment is used consistently to follow up on the professional results.
Complications
Tooth loss and shifting are potential complications of untreated periodontitis. Other problems that may occur as a result of the disease include the formation of tooth or soft tissue abscesses, jawbone infections and bad breath. If the infection spreads it can contribute to the development of heart disease, stroke and premature labor or low birthweight babies in pregnant women, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
