What Causes Periodontal Disease – What Ft. Lauderdale Patients Want to Know?

Unhealthy gums before laser surgery with Dr. DeTure, Deerfield Beach and Ft. Lauderdale Periodontist.

What causes periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection. What happens is that bacteria initially accumulate along the gum line in the form of plaque.

The body’s immune system sends white blood cells to fight the bacteria, but this response actually encourages the gum tissue to break down in order to make room for the blood vessels.

As a result, “pockets” form between the gums and the tooth’s hard surfaces, providing ideal conditions for more bacterial growth. Eventually, the interaction of bacteria with the body’s immune system can result in destruction of bone that supports each tooth.

What Kind of Bacteria Cause destruction?

There are many normal types of bacteria in our mouths and most of them won’t cause any problems for us.

However, researchers have identified specific bacteria that are sound in periodontal disease. When these types of bacteria are present, we know the patient is at increased risk for periodontal disease. When the bacteria appear in large numbers, they may signal an acute phase of the disease.

That’s certainly when you know it’s time to see a periodontist and begin a plan for treating the infection.

How Can I Tell If I Have These bacteria?

Previously, the only way we, as trained periodontists, could tell was by seeing the destruction caused by bacteria – the deep pockets, the loss of bone, etc. Now we don’t have to wait until after the damage is done.

Using a special microscope and/or culturing, we can tell if you are harboring the bacteria associated with periodontal disease. For patients who have already been treated for periodontal disease, this evidence can alert us to the possibility that the disease is re-entering an active phase.

Speak with a Periodontist Today

If you have questions for a periodontist – what we do, how we can help your smile, how we treat gum disease or what services we provide for ‘fixing smiles’ – please contact our offices. We’d be happy to talk more with you!

Deerfield Beach office: (954) 427-5700