Periodontology

What Is Periodontitis? Risks Associated with Periodontitis What Periodontal Care Involves Request an Appointment

What Is Periodontitis?

Periodontitis symptoms include bleeding and receding gums, as well as bad breath. In advanced stages, the teeth may become loose and unstable, ultimately leading to tooth loss. Unlike gingivitis, periodontitis causes permanent damage. In some mild cases, however, it’s possible to regenerate the affected ligament.

Periodontitis primarily affects middle-aged and older adults and is 70% more common among smokers. Smoking also reduces the body’s ability to defend against harmful bacteria, increasing the risk of periodontitis.

Risks Associated with Periodontitis

Periodontitis is often subtle, allowing symptoms to go unnoticed for several years. However, its impact extends beyond dental health—chronic periodontitis can become a source of infections and inflammation throughout the body, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

The good news is that proper treatment and consistent dental hygiene can improve gum health at any stage, preventing the disease from advancing and reducing the risk of tooth loss.

What Periodontal Care Involves

The foundation of periodontal care is regular dental hygiene. One of our skilled dental hygienists will first remove plaque and tartar. The results are then reviewed with our periodontist, MUDr. Kateřina Simpson, who assesses the progress and remission of periodontitis.

The next phase of treatment is specialized periodontal care. Based on the severity of your condition, we may recommend conservative, surgical, or even photodynamic therapy. After the active treatment phase, we follow up with regular check-ups, typically about four times a year, to maintain your gum health.