Periodontal disease
Anyone can get periodontal disease, but people over 40 are particularly at risk and studies show that periodontal disease can be hereditary.
Periodontal disease cannot be cured, but thorough treatment can stop the disease from progressing. If periodontal disease is not treated in time, in the worst cases you can lose teeth.
Read more about periodontal disease and contact us for further questions.
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What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory condition of the supporting tissues of the teeth - gums, connective tissue, root canal and jawbone.
In healthy conditions, the root of the tooth is attached to the jawbone and held in place by root fibers that allow the tooth to move slightly when chewing. The healthy gums wrap tightly around the tooth and protect the underlying tissues from bacteria.
In periodontal disease, these tissues gradually break down. Left untreated, the disease can lead to loose teeth and eventually tooth loss.
How and why does periodontal disease occur?
Periodontal disease often starts as gingivitis. When plaque with bacteria is allowed to accumulate along the gum line, the gums can become irritated and inflamed. They swell and lose their tight grip around the tooth.
The natural protection is weakened and bacteria gain access to the deeper tissues. The body tries to fight the infection, but this triggers a reaction where the connective tissue, root canal and bone break down. The gum pockets deepen and X-rays often show a decrease in the height of the jawbone around the tooth.
Left untreated, this inflammatory condition can lead to loosening of the teeth - and in the worst case, complete tooth loss.
Who is most often affected by periodontal disease?
Recent studies, including from the Aarhus School of Dentistry, show that around 12% of the population has periodontal disease to a greater or lesser degree.
In these individuals, untreated gingivitis can develop into periodontal disease over time.
This is because some people are more predisposed and have an overactive immune system that reacts more strongly than necessary. In an attempt to fight the inflammation, the body releases substances that - in addition to attacking the bacteria - also break down the bone around the teeth.
This can lead to loose teeth in the affected areas if the condition is not treated in time.
Symptoms of periodontal disease
Periodontal disease often develops in secret, and many people don't notice it until their teeth start to loosen. But there are a number of early signs you should be aware of:
- Red or dark red gumline
- Swollen gums
- Bleeding when brushing your teeth
- Bad breath
- Soreness or murmur from the gums
- Teeth that feel loose or move
Because symptoms can be subtle at first, it's important to attend your regular dental check-ups. Among other things, we check for signs of periodontal disease - so we can intervene in time to keep your teeth healthy and stable.
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Questions about periodontal disease treatment
First, we measure the depth of the gum pockets and may take X-rays to assess bone loss. Treatment consists of a thorough cleaning of the gum pockets and root planing. For deep or inflamed pockets, local anesthesia is used.
At Tandliv, you will be treated by our periodontal specialist Zohair Azzouzi, who has researched periodontal disease and published in Tandlægebladet. You are in safe, experienced hands throughout the entire process.
In advanced periodontal disease, it may be necessary to lift the gums to clean in depth. This treatment can be combined with antibiotics, depending on the extent of the infection.
Without treatment, the disease progresses. This can lead to teeth becoming loose and eventually falling out. Early intervention is crucial to preserve teeth.
Periodontal disease cannot be completely cured, but it can be kept under control. With daily oral hygiene and regular dental care, the progression of the disease can be halted.
Good oral hygiene is essential. Brush your teeth thoroughly, floss or use interdental brushes - and stop smoking. This is important to prevent the disease from returning.
Price of periodontal treatment
At Tandliv, we offer different treatment options depending on the extent of your periodontal disease. The prices are as follows:
Mild periodontal disease: 1,200 kr.
- Includes: periodontal examination, extended dental cleaning, and 3 tooth root cleanings.
Medium periodontal disease: 1,790 kr.
- Includes: periodontal examination, extended dental cleaning, and 8 tooth root cleanings.
Severe periodontal disease: 2,262 kr.
- Includes: periodontal examination, extended dental cleaning, and 12 tooth root cleanings.
Periodontal surgery: 4,975 kr.
It is important to start treatment as early as possible to prevent further damage to the supporting tissues of the teeth. Contact Tandliv today for a consultation and get the treatment you need to maintain your dental health.
- We focus on the good experience.
Smoking and periodontal disease
While there is still much we don't know about periodontal disease, research clearly shows that smokers have a significantly increased risk of developing the disease.
Smokers are more likely to have a more severe form of periodontal disease and treatment is often less effective. This is mainly because the healing process is poorer in smokers.
The more you smoke, the greater the risk of bone loss and loose teeth.
Can periodontal disease be cured?
Once healthy conditions are restored, it's about staying clear of new inflammatory conditions in the supporting tissues of the teeth. The rest of your life will be about maintaining superior oral hygiene through effective home dental care and frequent dental check-ups.
The checks should serve to catch any early signs of a relapse, as you will be more vulnerable to further breakdown of supporting tissue in the event of a new infection.
Periodontal disease cannot be cured - neither the dentist nor anyone else can remove a patient's tendency to develop periodontal disease - but for most people the development of the disease can be stopped. If the connective tissue and gums become free of inflammation, the gums will once again fit tightly around the tooth.
Unfortunately, the jawbone and root canal do not heal; the jawbone once lost does not come back. Where the bone has broken down, you often find that the gums also lie lower than they did before. This retraction of the gums can expose the neck of the tooth and cause sensitive necks.
Periodontal disease, periodontitis or periodontitis?
"The disease of loose teeth" goes by many names. Most people know it as periodontal disease, but calling it periodontal disease or periodontitis is just as accurate.
In Latin, and thus dental language, the disease is known as periodontitis. However, most diseases are rarely called by the same name in everyday speech as in Latin. That's why it was renamed periodontosis, as it's easier to pronounce. However, our language is constantly evolving. That's why the disease is now best known as periodontal disease.
Contact us and get advice
If you have any doubts or questions, don't hesitate to contact us.
- I look forward to meeting you in the clinic.
- Dental hygienist
Adam was born in 1996 and graduated from the University of Copenhagen at the School of Clinical Assistants and Dental Hygienists (graduated in 2019).
In his spare time, he loves playing and watching football.
Contact Tandliv for questions
Do you have questions about periodontal disease, prices or the treatment process?
Contact Tandliv today and get answers to your questions.
