13 Aug How to recognize gum disease – act now, test yourself!

Do I have gum problems? Do I suffer from gum disease? How to find out.

The attachment of your teeth to your jaws is assured by complex structures called “periodontium”. It holds your teeth in place and gives them the stability you need for comfortable chewing. These structures are oftentimes exposed to a chronic, mostly painless infection, caused by a buildup of oral bacteria, the so called “plaque”. Unless treated correctly, this infection (called “periodontitis”, more commonly known as “gum disease”) will, over time, destroy the underlying supportive structures, and your teeth are prone to becoming loose and eventually will fall out. You can recognise this process by certain signs and symptoms described below. Note that not all of these signs occur necessarily all the time, so look out for first hints early to make the treatment less difficult and more predictable.

There are some signs to look out for to find about your individual risk of being exposed to this disease, simply answer the following questions:

If you answer any of these questions with yes, please come into the practice and have a checkup done. It’s quick and easy, and the earlier the disease is diagnosed, the less complex and costly the treatment will be.

Additionally, some risk factors are crucial to take into consideration:

• Are you a man? (women also have periodontitis, though!!)
• Are you over 40?
• Do you smoke?
• Have your parents or other family members lost teeth due to gum disease or are they facing these issues?

 

If so, disease is more likely to occur and/or progress faster. We are committed to helping you keep your teeth for a superior quality of life! To book an appointment for a periodontal check call the practice on 022 900 15 96.

We look forward to welcoming you to Cabinet Dentaire du Seujet.

Sebastian Engelhardt
Specialist in Periodontology
Cabinet Dentaire du Seujet