Periodontal Disease, or periodontitis, can have serious consequences.  

What is periodontitis?  It starts when plaque begins to grow below the gum line.   Then, the toxins in the plaque bacteria start to irritate the gums and cause the gums to respond with inflammation.  When this happens, the gums and bone around the teeth begin to decay.  This leaves pockets, where the gums no longer touch the teeth.  People with severe periodontitis can eventually lose their teeth.  And, the inflammation associated with periodontitis has also been associated with rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, stroke, low birth weight, and diabetes complications.

So, how do you know if you have this type of periodontal disease?  Of course, not everyone will have the same symptoms, but periodontist can present with bad breath, tender or bleeding gums, and the recession of gums.  The best way to know for sure if you have periodontitis, is to have regular dental check ups and cleanings.

"We can treat periodontal disease best, when we find it in its earliest stages," says Dr. Jergins.  "The longer people go without treatment, the more time-consuming and costly their treatment will be, and the greater chance that they will actually lose their teeth."

But there is hope if periodontal disease is found early.  Julie Lawhorn, dental hygienist at Dr. Jergins's Spring Hill office for more than seven years, says the initial periodontitis treatment will take two visits, then the patient must be vigilant about follow up. "We need to see our periodontitis patients every three to four months for cleanings," Julie says. "Unfortunately, many patients come for the initial treatment, then don't come back for several years.  Sadly, that puts them right back to where they started."

Dr. Jergins and Julie also stress the importance of home care in preventing, and treating periodontitis.