The periodontium plays a major role in the chewing process and phonation, the creation of sounds. Diseases of the periodontium also has a significant impact on the aesthetics of the patient. First of all an untreated inflammation may lead to tooth loss and also serious systemic diseases, such as diabetes or cardiovascular diseases. Everything usually starts with an uncontrolled accumulation of plaque, where bacteria can initiate the process of periodontal destruction. The most common periodontal diseases are gingival inflammation and periodontal inflammations (see also: Treatment of gums and prophylaxis).
Healthy gums are the foundation for healthy teeth
The cause of periodontal diseases by be weakening of the general health of the patient (impairment of the immune or hormonal systems, diabetes, using anti-epileptic drugs and anti-coagulation drugs, shortages resulting from improper diet). The cause of the disease may also be a poorly conducted dental treatment and badly performed removable dentures, as well as the bad habit of teeth grinding. Fatal for the periodontium are habits like smoking or excessive alcohol consumption.
Most often, however, health problems result from negligence and poor hygiene of the oral cavity. On the surface of poorly cleaned teeth dental plaque accumulate together with calculus. Bacteria which accumulate in the dental plaque causes diseases and initiates degenerative processes of the periodontium.
Dental plaque and stone
Patients often reach for the help of dentist first when the disease has become advanced and there is a real risk of loosing one or two teeth. Patients often underestimate symptoms such as redness, bloodshot and swollen gums. Gingivitis does not present with pain
with the patient, this is mainly why the though does not occur that there is a need to see the dentist. Even bleeding gums is usually seen as a perfectly normal phenomenon instead of the beginning of a disease. Meanwhile it is often a sign of inflammation and a signal what we should not hesitate to contact our dentist.
More that half of the worlds population has inflamed gums in the phase that needs dental treatment. At least 1/3 of the population suffer from moderate or advanced stage of the disease. This shows the extent of the problem which is the disease of the periodontium. Most of the periodontal diseases lead to tooth loss that can be prevented.
