Information for patients: Periodontal (gum) disease: causes, symptoms, and treatments

(26 January 2008: VIDYYA MEDICAL NEWS SERVICE) -- An estimated 80 percent of American adults currently have some form of periodontal (gum) disease. This booklet answers questions for those diagnosed with gum disease.

Periodontal diseases range from simple gum inflammation to serious disease that results in major damage to the soft tissue and bone that support the teeth. In the worst cases, teeth are lost.

Gum disease is a threat to your oral health. Research is also pointing to possible health effects of periodontal diseases that go well beyond your mouth (more about this later). Whether it is stopped, slowed, or gets worse depends a great deal on how well you care for your teeth and gums every day, from this point forward.

Read a booklet from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research about periodontal disease by clicking here: http://www.vidyya.com/11pdfs/PeriodontalGum_Eng.pdf

Return to Vidyya Medical News Service for 26 January 2008

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