Periodontitis can last forever if you never see a dentist to have it treated. Likewise, as long as periodontitis is left untreated, the disease will progress and worsen. If you have the symptoms of periodontitis, it is recommended that you see a dentist as soon as possible.
Periodontitis is a genetically inherited disease that is acquired at birth and is present for life. In 80% of people with periodontitis it starts showing up as tooth associated bone loss in their late twenties to mid-thirties and then progresses painlessly. The bone loss can be stopped with treatment, but the disease cannot be cured. If patients with periodontitis experiences inflammation in their gum tissue they will get bone loss around their teeth. Unless the inflammation is extreme most patients do not know they have it. Treating periodontitis to prevent tooth loss requires periodic visits to a dentist, a hygienist, and/or a periodontist over the patient’s life time.
Even though there is no way to know how long periodontitis will last, there are ways to help control its progress and reduce the risk of tooth loss. These include:
- scaling, which is a deep-cleaning technique that involves scraping tartar (caused by bacterial plaque build-up) off the teeth, both above and below the gum line
- root planing, another deep-cleaning technique in which the dentist or hygienist removes areas on the tooth root that are more likely to attract bacteria
- laser removal of bacterial plaque and tartar
- medicines to reduce the size of the pockets (the spaces where the gum tissue has started separating from the teeth)
- surgery to clean out pockets (called flap surgery)
- surgery to encourage bone growth and gum tissue regeneration (called bone and tissue grafting)
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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.