Periodontitis, << `pehr` ee oh don TY tihs, >> is a disease of the gums and of the bone that supports the teeth in their sockets. Periodontitis is the chief cause of tooth loss after age 35.
The most common form of periodontitis results from the build-up of plaque on the teeth and gums. Plaque is a sticky mixture of food particles and bacteria. The bacteria and their waste products irritate the gums and produce gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums (see Teeth (Periodontal diseases)). If gingivitis is not treated, the gums become swollen and bleed easily, and in time they may recede from the teeth. The bacteria then attack the connective fibers that line the teeth sockets, and pus forms in the narrow pockets between the teeth. The spreading infection destroys the fibers and surrounding bone that hold the teeth in their sockets. As periodontitis progresses, the teeth become loose and may fall out of their sockets.
Periodontitis is curable in its early stages. A dentist should be consulted if the gums are red and tender and bleed easily. Certain drugs may be prescribed in the initial treatment of the disease. Later treatment consists largely of removing plaque, grinding off rough surfaces of the teeth, surgically removing the diseased gums, and reshaping bone. Proper dental care, including daily brushing and flossing, helps prevent the disease.
