Periodontal disease-silent and deadly
 Periodontal
disease can go on for years without pain and without detection
unless specific examination procedures are performed. Visual oral
examination by itself (even by a dentist) will not reliably detect
periodontal disease until it has reached an advanced stage.
Early detection and adequate diagnosis require measurement of
pockets (the crevice between the tooth and gum) with a periodontal
probe. Effective prevention and treatment is available, but the
damage caused as the disease progresses is irreversible.
Early detection and treatment is critical to prevent tooth loss
and disfigurement. Although the procedure is simple, painless and
requires only a few minutes, millions of American adults have never
had it done.
Signs of periodontal disease - bleeding gums, redness of gum
tissue, swelling of gums around the teeth, breath odor, receding
gums, mobility of teeth.
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