Frequently asked questions?

1.)	There is an old saying, "if it is not broken, don't fix it." Does this apply to periodontal disease?
2.)	Does periodontal treatment hurt?
3.)	Is it expensive?
4.)	What is a full periodontal evaluation?
5.)	Can periodontal disease affect my health?
6.)	How can I learn more?
7.)	Does smoking affect my gum and supporting bone?
1.)	There is an old saying, "if it is not broken, don't fix it." Does this apply to periodontal disease? Absolutely not. Same as it does not apply to early detection of high cholesterol levels, prostate cancer, colon cancer etc. Because periodontal disease is generally not painful it is often detected too late. Go to your dentist and ask him for a referral or a full periodontal evaluation or seek expert help yourself if you have any doubt.
2.)	Does periodontal treatment hurt? No. Not if it is skilfully performed.
3.)	Is it expensive? This depends on your individual perception and values. Frequently, a good watch is much more expensive than keeping your teeth.
4.)	What is a full periodontal evaluation? International standards are: Medical history and dental history Full mouth charting and tooth by tooth evaluation Full mouth X-Rays where every tooth can be clearly seen. Often colour images to monitor changes in the gum shape and position. Sometimes additional records such as study models, CT scans, DNA probes etc., which may be needed to diagnose and treat you.
5.)	Can periodontal disease affect my health? Yes: 1. Respiratory diseases (Lung diseases) Scientists have found that bacteria from patients with periodontal disease can be inhaled to cause respiratory (lung) disease. 2. Heart disease Researchers have found that people with periodontal disease have double the risk for coronary artery disease. Bacteria from the oral cavity can travel to the heart when they enter the bloodstream. 3. Pregnancy Researchers have found that pregnant women with periodontal disease are seven times more likely to have a premature baby, or a baby with a low birth weight, than a woman with a healthy mouth. 4. Diabetes There are also other interactions between periodontal disease and your health, such as diabetes. For more information consult your dentist or a periodontist.
6.)	How can I learn more? The best site for information is the web site of the AAP (American Academy of Periodontology). The AAP is an organisation of periodontists that gives out many brochures and information. The web site is www.perio.org. If you need to read some in hard copy, fax us and we will send you the requested brochure by mail. The following associations have web sites in: French - www.sfparo.org German - www.dgparo.de Italian - www.parodontologia.com
7.)	Does smoking affect my gum and supporting bone? YES, smoking is a risk factor in periodontal disease. People who smoke less than 10 cigarettes a day are 3 times more likely to get periodontal disease. Smokers who smoke more than one half packs a day are 5 times more likely to develop periodontal disease. Smoking affects gum blood vessels and impairs the body's defense mechanism. If you want to stop smoking you can get help from the following web sites. http://www.quitnet.com http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/index.htm http://www.quitnet.com http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/index.htm
	AAP (American Academy of Periodontology) Periodontal Associates M.A.U.S.