FAQs
Dr. Katz has been asked numerous questions about
his PerioTherapy product line and general questions
regarding periodontal/gum disease. View these
popular questions and answer below. If you would like to read
up-to-date articles and research about periodontal/gum disease,
please visit our
Research & Articles section.
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What are the different types of periodontal disease?
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Answer:
There are many forms of periodontal disease. The most common ones include the following.
- Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the mildest form of periodontal disease.
It causes the gums to become red, swollen, and bleed easily.
There is usually little or no discomfort at this stage.
Gingivitis is reversible with professional treatment and
good at home oral care such as Periotherapy
- Aggressive Periodontitis
A form of periodontitis that occurs in patients who
are otherwise clinically healthy. Common features include
rapid attachment loss and bone destruction and familial
aggregation. Periotherapy will help stop the progression,
however it is receommend to seek help from a dental professional.
- Chronic Periodontitis
A form of periodontal disease resulting in inflammation within
the supporting tissues of the teeth, progressive attachment and
bone loss and is characterized by pocket formation and/or
recession of the gingiva. It is recognized as the most frequently
occurring form of periodontitis. It is prevalent in adults,
but can occur at any age. Progression of attachment loss usually
occurs slowly, but periods of rapid progression can occur.
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What can I do to avoid periodontal disease?
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Answer:
To keep your teeth for a lifetime, you must remove the plaque from your teeth and
gums every day with proper brushing and flossing. Regular dental visits are also
important. Daily cleaning will help keep calculus formation to a minimum,
but it won't completely prevent it. A professional cleaning at least twice a year
is necessary to remove calculus from places your toothbrush and floss may have missed.
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Is it normal for my gums to bleed when I brush my teeth?
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Answer:
Healthy gums do not bleed from brushing. If your gums bleed then it's a sign that
you are not taking as good of care of them as you should be. A treatment such as
PerioTherapy, combined with flossing will help to maintain the health of your gums
and ensure a minimal amount of bleeding.
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Can I pass my periodontal disease to others?
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Answer:
Periodontal disease may be passed from parents to children and between couples,
according to an article in the
September 1997 issue of the
Journal of the
American Dental Association. Researchers suggest that bacteria causing periodontal
disease are passed though saliva. This means that when a family or couple come into
contact with each other's saliva, they're at risk for contracting the periodontal
disease of another family member. Based on this research, a treatment such as
Periotherapy is useful the for the entire family.
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I'm over 55. Does this mean I'm more likely to get periodontal disease?
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Answer:
Your chances of developing periodontal disease increase considerably as
you get older. More than half of people aged 55 and older have periodontitis.
The good news is that research suggests that these higher rates may be related to
risk factors other than age. So, periodontal disease is not an inevitable part of
aging. Risk factors that may make older people more susceptible include general
health status, diminished immune status, medications, depression, worsening memory,
diminished salivary flow, functional impairments and change in financial status.
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Can periodontal disease increase my risk for having a premature baby?
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Answer:
Pregnant women who have periodontal disease may be seven times more likely
to have a baby that is born too early and too small. More research is needed
to confirm how periodontal disease may affect pregnancy outcomes.
What we do know is that periodontal disease is an infection and all
infections are cause for concern during pregnancy because they pose a
risk to the health of the baby. View the research article
"Gum Disease Linked To Birth Complications" for more information.
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How does periodontal disease increase my risk for heart disease?
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Answer:
Several theories exist to explain the link between periodontal disease and heart
disease. One theory is that oral bacteria can affect the heart when they enter
the bloodstream, attaching to fatty plaques in the coronary arteries (heart blood vessels)
and contributing to clot formation. Coronary artery disease is characterized by a
thickening of the walls of the coronary arteries due to the buildup of fatty proteins.
Blood clots can obstruct normal blood flow, restricting the amount of nutrients and
oxygen required for the heart to function properly. This may lead to heart attacks.
Researchers have found that people with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to
suffer from coronary artery disease as those without periodontal disease.
For more information, read the article
"Gum Disease Is Associated With Elevated Levels Of C-Reactive Protein And Fibrinogen And It May Be A Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factor".