Periodontal diseases are mainly the result of infections and inflammation of the gums and bone that surround and support the teeth. In its early stage, called gingivitis, the gums can become swollen and red, and they may bleed. In its more serious form, called periodontitis, the gums can pull away from the tooth, bone can be lost, and the teeth may loosen or even fall out. Periodontal disease is mostly seen in adults. Periodontal disease and tooth decay are the two biggest threats to dental health. Show A recent CDC report1 provides the following data related to prevalence of periodontitis in the U.S.:
This condition is more common in men than women (56.4% vs 38.4%), those living below the federal poverty level (65.4%), those with less than a high school education (66.9%), and current smokers (64.2%) CausesBacteria in the mouth infect tissue surrounding the tooth, causing inflammation around the tooth leading to periodontal disease. When bacteria stay on the teeth long enough, they form a film called plaque, which eventually hardens to tartar, also called calculus. Tartar build-up can spread below the gum line, which makes the teeth harder to clean. Then, only a dental health professional can remove the tartar and stop the periodontal disease process. Warning signsThe following are warning signs of periodontal disease:
Risk factorsCertain factors increase the risk for periodontal disease:
Prevention and treatmentGingivitis can be controlled and treated with good oral hygiene and regular professional cleaning. More severe forms of periodontal disease can also be treated successfully but may require more extensive treatment. Such treatment might include deep cleaning of the tooth root surfaces below the gums, medications prescribed to take by mouth or placed directly under the gums, and sometimes corrective surgery. To help prevent or control periodontal diseases, it is important to:
If you can’t afford dental care, you may be able to find help through the following sources: What is the CDC doing about periodontal disease?The CDC is currently working with key partner organizations such as the American Academy of Periodontology and the American Dental Association to improve and sustain surveillance of periodontal disease in the adult U.S. population. The efforts of the CDC include (1) developing measures for use in surveillance of periodontal disease at the state and local levels, (2) improving the validity of prevalence estimates derived from the NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) by improving the accuracy of the clinical examination protocols used in this national survey, and (3) developing simple measures for screening for periodontal disease in clinical settings. For additional background related to CDC activities, please click on the links listed: Eke PI, Thornton-Evans G, Dye BA, Genco R. Advances in Surveillance of Periodontitis: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Periodontal Disease Surveillance Project. J Periodontol 11 February 2012: 1–9. View full textexternal icon. Eke PI, Page PC, Wei L, Thornton-Evans G, Genco RJ. Update of the Case Definitions for Population-Based Surveillance of Periodontitis. J Periodontol 16 March 2012:1–9. View full textexternal icon. Eke PI, Thornton-Evans G, Wei L, Borgnakke WS, Dye BA. Accuracy of NHANES Periodontal Examination Protocols. J Dent Res 2010;89(11): 1208–1213. View abstractexternal icon. Podcasts About Periodontal Disease and DiabetesListen to Summary: Periodontal Disease and Diabetes Podcast. Provides valuable information on the impact of periodontal disease and its link to diabetes (Length 1:36). View transcript. Listen to Periodontal Disease and Diabetes Podcast. Informative interview of two dental professionals about periodontal disease, diabetes complications, and the influence of poor oral health on blood glucose control (Length 5:33). View transcript. Additional ResourcesPeriodontal (Gum) Diseases: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment. [PDF–1.26 M]external icon. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research consumer brochure. Bethesda, MD. Reprinted January 2006. American Academy of Periodontologyexternal icon Journal articles on periodontal disease Reference1Eke PI, Dye B, Wei L, Thornton-Evans G, Genco R. Prevalence of Periodontitis in Adults in the United States: 2009 and 2010. J Dent Res. Published online 30 August 2012:1–7. View full textexternal icon. Top of Page
Dental X-rays can spot trouble early on in your mouth, teeth, gums and jaw. Treating problems before they get serious can save money, pain and sometimes even your life.
In the list of your favorite things, getting an X-ray at the dentist's office may not rank high. Wearing that heavy apron and holding a sometimes uncomfortable device between your teeth for even a few seconds isn't much fun. But X-rays show dental providers a lot. X-rays help them see the condition of your teeth, roots, jaw placement and facial bone composition. They also help them find and treat dental problems early in their development. X-rays are a form of energy that can travel through or be absorbed by solid objects. This energy is absorbed by dense objects, such as teeth and bones, and show up in X-rays as light-colored areas. X-rays pass through less dense objects, such as gums and cheeks, and appear as dark areas on X-ray film. X-rays can help find problems that cannot be seen with an oral exam. Finding and treating problems early in their development may save you money, avoid discomfort (if these problems are treated at a later time) and possibly even save your life. What types of problems do X-rays help detect?X-rays help your dentist diagnose problems in your teeth and jaws. In adults, X-rays show:
In children, X-rays determine:
What are the different types of dental X-rays? There are two main types of dental X-rays: intraoral (the X-ray film is inside the mouth) and extraoral (the X-ray film is outside the mouth). Intraoral X-rays are the most common type of X-ray. There are several types of intraoral X-rays. Each shows different aspects of teeth.
Extraoral X-rays are used to detect dental problems in the jaw and skull. There are several types of extraoral X-rays.
How often should teeth be X-rayed?How often X-rays need to be taken depends on your medical and dental history and current condition. Some people may need X-rays as often as every six months. Others who don’t have recent dental or gum disease and who have ongoing scheduled visits with their dentist may only need X-rays every couple of years. New patients may have X-rays taken at their first exam. First-visit X-rays are also used to compare with X-rays taken over time to look for problems and unexpected changes.X-rays may need to be taken more often in people at high risk for dental problems. These people include:
Are dental X-rays safe?The amount of radiation emitted from X-rays is extremely small. Advances in dentistry — such as X-ray machines that limit the radiation beam to a small area; high-speed X-rays; use of lead-lined, full-body aprons; and federal laws that require accuracy and safety checks for X-ray machines — are a few of the improvements that limit the amount of radiation patients receive. Despite the safety of X-rays, some questions to ask your dentist include:
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 11/18/2019. References
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy |