Periodontal Probe

You may have heard the term periodontal disease, gingivitis, periodontitis or many times for dental or dental-related product announcements. Very few people really know what it is. Although relatively minor in treatment, it could be a very extensive dental procedure , if not treated.

By definition, periodontal disease is periodontitis, which in fact refers to inflammation of gum around a tooth in particular. It is one of the main causes of tooth loss in many adults. In fact, dental problems are the second most common among adults, prevalence as high as 50% in the United States. The condition is found primarily through routine examinations where the gum is probed with a sharp object, cutting tool called a periodontal probe.

The disease or condition begins with the plate unattended build around the tooth. At this stage, the disease could be simply called gingivitis. The buildup of plaque causes pain, a red, and bleeding from the gums when probed. The plate is collections of bacteria that hardens and produces acid that can damage teeth and soft tissues. For this reason, the plate because of damage to the gum.

The next stage is called periodontitis. At this level, the rubber starts to detach from the tooth, while bones and other supporting tissue deteriorates. Infection increases with the pain, discomfort increases and, possibly, bleeding.

The last step is the advanced form of periodontitis, where the gums, bone, support tissues and its surroundings, is deteriorating. Their condition worsens, the tooth may loosen and fall.

There are several options for treatment. However, the effectiveness of dental care is available only when the state has not progressed as much as advanced. Your dentist can treat you with a method called scale, which is just scraping off the plaque from teeth above and below the gumline. Scaling is done in the early stages of periodontal disease. If the state is in its intermediate phase or pre-advanced, your dentist may recommend oral irrigation is the insertion of a cleaning liquid to kill bacteria in the gum and the gum can heal or root planing can be done, which is a procedure that the smooth structure damaged teeth so that the soft tissue of healing.

Those who have lost teeth because of periodontal disease may wonder how they will never get their smile. For more information on tooth replacement, see Dental Implant.