What is a Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal Disease which is commonly referred to as a gum disease is caused due to inflammation of the gums. The inflammation at times can be so severe that the bone surrounding and protecting the teeth can also get affected. There are basically three stages of Periodontal Disease namely periodontitis, advanced periodontitis, and gingivitis.
Periodontal Disease is normally a painless disorder with the only presenting features being swelling and tenderness in the affected teeth along with erythema. The affected gums may also move away from the respective tooth. The affected individual will have persistent bad breath despite taking all measures. The teeth become loose and eventually fall off. In some cases, pus also forms around the affected gum and teeth.
The primary cause for Periodontal Disease is believed to be bacterial plaque. A plaque is a sticky film that forms over the teeth. Plaque formation is quite common but if they are not removed in time it tends to become hard and takes the form of a calculus. This is yet another cause for Periodontal Disease. There are a whole lot of treatments available for Periodontal Disease; however, what happens if this condition goes untreated is what has been discussed in brief below.
What Happens if Periodontal Disease Goes Untreated?
If Periodontal Disease is left untreated, it may cause a whole lot of complications. The first and foremost is that the gums may become loose and move away from the very teeth that it is supposed to be attached with. This results in the formation of gaps between the gums and the teeth which then becomes a breeding ground for variety of infections.
Once infected, there may be rapid progression of the infection leading to bone loss. Ultimately, the tooth becomes loose and falls off. In some cases, even if the tooth does not fall the area becomes so infected that the only possible solution for the condition is an extraction of the infected tooth.
If the infection caused by Periodontal Disease spreads to other teeth the result is the same with the tooth being extracted. Thus it is highly recommended that even with the slightest indication of Periodontal Disease that the individual goes to a dentist to get treated to prevent undue loss of bone and eventually the teeth due to this disease.
