Do dentists lie about periodontal disease?

Sometimes patients get a prophy when periodontal disease IS present. Too many hygienists get caught up in the "run and gun" mode and miss that periodontal disease is present, primarily because they omit the full-mouth periodontal charting/recording. In my opinion, under-diagnosing is just as bad as over-diagnosing.

Can you be misdiagnosed with periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease is more commonly known as gum disease. There are several different forms of it. Some are more serious than others, but it is important to be able to identify the symptoms. Gum disease can easily be misdiagnosed, especially by people who don't know what the signs are.

Can a dentist miss periodontal disease?

Although gingivitis is treatable, it is estimated that as many as 90% of the population already has periodontal disease. By the time you notice you have gingivitis and seek treatment, it may already have progressed to the next stage. The Problem with Periodontal Disease: Periodontal disease can be easily missed.

Can a dentist tell if you have periodontitis?

Periodontitis diagnosis

Similar to a gingivitis exam, your dentist will use a probe to diagnose the severity of your periodontitis by measuring pockets in your gums. In a healthy mouth, the depth of these pockets is usually between 1 and 3 millimeters.

How do dentists check for periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease is diagnosed by your dentist or dental hygienist during a periodontal examination. This type of exam should always be part of your regular dental check-up. A periodontal probe (small dental instrument) is gently used to measure the sulcus (pocket or space) between the tooth and the gums.

Periodontitis and its influence on health - How is periodontal disease treated? ©

How long does periodontitis take to develop?

Slight Periodontal Disease

During the early gingivitis stages, gum inflammation can occur in as little as five days. Within two to three weeks, the signs of generalized gingivitis become more noticeable. If you still leave this untreated, it would progress to slight periodontal disease.

Can periodontitis be stopped?

Periodontitis can be stopped if caught and treated early enough. Treatment is typically very successful. If you have periodontitis, regular follow-ups with a dentist are essential to ensure that the disease doesn't continue.

Do I really need periodontal treatment?

If your visit to the dentist reveals significant pockets- those 4mm or greater, then you are at risk for (or in the stages of), periodontal disease. This makes you a candidate for the therapy (a deep teeth cleaning) and it is highly recommended if you want to stop and prevent the progression of the disease.

Do gums always bleed with periodontitis?

If you have periodontitis, your gums may become inflamed and infected and pull away from the roots of your teeth. When your gums bleed easily, it could be a sign of periodontal disease. Your teeth may get loose or separate.

What is mild periodontitis?

Slight Periodontal Disease: Slight periodontal disease is the second stage of gum disease. It isn't reversible, but can be managed. Once you reach stage two, the infection has spread to the bone and has begun to destroy bones. The bacteria have become more aggressive, which is what leads to bone less.

Can loose teeth from periodontal disease be fixed?

Fortunately, treatment for loose teeth, especially effective tooth splinting by a qualified dentist, can help repair the damage- and in many cases even help the tooth tighten back up naturally.

Will tooth extraction cure periodontal disease?

Tooth extraction in the case of periodontal disease is usually done as a last resort. It is to be noted, however, that the extraction of teeth alone does not cure gum disease.

How do people live with periodontal disease?

The key to managing and living with periodontal disease is to ensure your teeth are kept clean and reduce gum irritation. Besides an increase in cleanings, there are also specialized cleaning methods used, depending on the extent of damage.

Which is worse gingivitis or periodontitis?

Periodontitis is a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue and may destroy the bone that supports your teeth. Periodontitis can cause tooth loss, and has even been linked to an increased risk of heart attack or stroke. When comparing the two, periodontitis is much worse than gingivitis.

Can you reverse periodontal disease naturally?

You can reverse some cases of mild periodontal disease naturally. By adopting a rigorous, careful oral hygiene routine, you can control the spread of bacteria and limit the progression of the disease. Here are some things you can do: Brush your teeth twice a day with quality fluoride toothpaste.

How is periodontal disease diagnosed?

Periodontal disease is diagnosed by your dentist or dental hygienist during a periodontal examination. This type of exam should always be part of your regular dental check-up. A periodontal probe (small dental instrument) is gently used to measure the sulcus (pocket or space) between the tooth and the gums.

Does periodontitis hurt?

Chronic periodontal diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis are usually painless, but they may cause mild, episodic or persistent dull pain due to inflammation or low-grade infection. In contrast, sharp periodontal pain is often associated with high-grade infection and inflammation [3, 4].

Is it normal to see teeth through gums?

Exposed tooth roots are commonly caused by gum disease or receding gums. Even if you have perfect dental hygiene, you can still develop an exposed tooth root. If you've been having tooth sensitivity or pain, it's a good idea to visit your dentist.

What does severe gum recession look like?

Signs of gum recession vary, but can include red or swollen gums, bad breath, mouth sores, and pain or bleeding when brushing or flossing.

Why are dentists pushing deep cleaning?

If you have been diagnosed with periodontal disease, and suffer from bone loss, inflammation, and/or tartar has accumulated beneath the gumline, then the hygienist will need to clean 'deeper' below the gumline, and this is often known as a dental deep cleaning.

Do gums reattach after deep cleaning?

While any gum loss experienced due to gum disease will not grow back, the majority of patients can expect their gums to reattach after undergoing a deep cleaning. This is because all of the harmful bacteria has been removed, allowing the gums to once again be healthy.

How do you shrink gum pockets naturally?

Oil pulling

Not all oils are used for the oil pulling activity. Coconut oil, Sunflower oil, Sesame oil, and Olive oil are commonly used oils for the oil pulling activity. These are some of the natural ways to reduce gum pockets. They can help to minimize the unwanted bacteria from the mouth and keep the teeth clean.

Can you reverse deep gum pockets?

Periodontal pockets are a symptom of periodontitis (gum disease), a serious oral infection. Periodontal pockets can be treated and reversed with good oral hygiene or with dental treatment.

How long does it take to treat periodontal disease?

If you have the first stage of gum disease, gingivitis, you can usually expect to heal and recover within 14 days of getting a deep cleaning, assuming you take your prescribed antibiotics and maintain proper oral hygiene by brushing and flossing thoroughly.

Can aggressive periodontitis be cured?

Aggressive periodontitis, like other forms of periodontitis, can be stopped, although sometimes it causes damage that can't be completely repaired. There is no single treatment that always works.