Periodontal Disease: Things That You Need To Know

Periodontal or gum disease is the common oral ailment which can turn into a serious health concern if it is not taken care of on timely basis. Typically, there are two types of periodontal disease; i.e. gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is the milder form of gum disease which can turn into serious periodontitis if it is not treated in a timely manner.

Inflammation

Scientific studies have shown that chronic inflammation in any part of the body can impact the health of other parts of the body. For instance, there is a risk for cardiovascular disorder if you have inflammation in your prostate. Same is true for the inflammation in the gums. The veins and vessels in the gums are, somehow, connected directly to the cardiovascular vessels. So, inflammation in the gums can lead to issues in the cardiovascular system. Therefore, it would be highly unwise to ignore gum inflammation by thinking about it as a minor problem.

Risk assessment

There are certain factors which can tell whether or not a person is likely to have gum disease. Dentists are qualified to assess those risk factors to make intelligent guess in advance. For instance, an obese person is more like to have cardiovascular disorder, diabetes and other types of inflammation in the body. Such people are more like to have gum disease as well due to an extended risk of inflammation. Your dentist or doctor may suggest you some exercises to reduce obesity.

Identification of risk factors

According to American Academy of Periodontology, there are numerous risk factors which can lead to the higher risks of periodontal diseases. Age is the leading factor in this regard. Older patients are more like to have periodontal disease due to higher vulnerability to inflammation. Gender is another factor. Males are more likely to have advanced periodontal diseases as compared to women. Moreover, your dentist will assess the family dental history. Bad oral habits and certain oral and overall health disorders can also contribute to the likelihood of periodontal disease.

Prevention

While you can get treatment for the periodontal disease by going to the dentist, it is even better to work on the preventive methods to avoid periodontal disease. The first line of defense in this regard is good oral hygiene. You have to make sure that you brush and floss your teeth on daily basis. For additional support, you can use a high quality non-alcoholic mouthwash.

Moreover, you will need to visit your dentist once in every 6 months to get your oral cavity thoroughly checked.