dental disorders
Periodontitis
Symptoms and Signs of Periodontitis
Pain is usually absent unless an acute infection forms in one or more periodontal pockets or if HIV-associated periodontitis is present. Impaction of food in the pockets can cause pain at meals. Abundant plaque along with redness, swelling, and exudate are characteristic. Gums may be tender and bleed easily, and breath may be foul. As teeth loosen, particularly when only one third of the root is in the bone, chewing becomes painful. This photo shows a close-up of tissue loss in a person with periodontal disease. Periodontal disease has caused a loss of gum tissue and bone around the teeth. Dr. W. GREEN/CNRI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY This photo shows receding gums and a periodontal abscess (arrow) in a person who has periodontitis. CNRI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY This photo shows chronic plaque-induced inflammation of the soft tissues resulting in loss gum tissue, supporting bone, tooth movement, and loss of teeth. Image provided by Jonathan A. Ship, DMD. 