How contagious is periodontal disease?

introduction

Periodontosis differs from periodontitis in that there is no underlying inflammation. It is a degenerative regression of the gums and a breakdown of the jawbone. Nevertheless, one suspects the presence of some bacteria that play a decisive role here. Various scientific studies show that periodontal disease is contagious. Many of the periodontal bacteria can be transmitted between two partners as well as from the parents to the child. Not everyone who carries the bacteria is bound to develop periodontal disease. The outbreak of periodontal disease depends not only on infection, but also on one's own oral hygiene, the individual immune system, the use of medication or personal stress.To avoid re-infection, it is recommended that all family members of periodontal patients undergo therapy, even if they have no symptoms of the disease.

bacteria

There are over 600 different types of bacteria and a total of over 22 million bacteria in the human oral cavity. Only when the balance is disturbed, e.g. Poor oral hygiene can lead to the outbreak of dangerous periodontal disease. If left untreated, it can lead to the loss of teeth. It has been found that some bacteria are particularly important for the development of severe periodontal disease. These include Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.g.), Tannerella forsythia (T.f.), Treponema denticola (T.d.), Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (A.a.), Prevotella intermedia (P.i.). As soon as these bacteria have accumulated in the depths of the tooth pockets, they can form complexes. Due to the interaction of the individual bacteria, these complexes are very dangerous, as their synergistic effect enables them to attack and destroy the tooth-supporting apparatus. The yellow and orange complexes pave the way for the destructive red complex. In general, these bacteria can e.g. be transmitted via saliva or indirectly, e.g. via the same toothbrush.

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Detection of periodontal disease

Unfortunately, periodontitis is often discovered very late. For this reason, signs of periodontal disease should be taken seriously. Signs of periodontal disease are frequent bleeding gums and extreme sensitivity to heat or cold stimuli. Furthermore, a strong bad breath can be a symptom of an already existing periodontal disease.

As soon as you recognize the symptoms, it is very important to see a dentist immediately. Furthermore, regular visits to the dentist are essential as a preventive measure. In this way, emerging periodontal diseases can be detected at an early stage.

Read more on the topic:

• Bleeding gums
• chronic periodontal disease

What can I do for prophylaxis?

The most important thing to prevent periodontal disease is extensive daily oral hygiene. This includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day. The use of interdental brushes and dental floss is also very important. The food residues and bacteria are mainly deposited in the spaces between the teeth. In addition, a tongue cleaner is highly recommended, as the bacteria also preferentially deposit on the tongue. Another important aspect of prophylaxis is regular checkups at the dentist. A six-monthly visit to the dentist for preventive care is recommended. Furthermore, one should take care in everyday life to prevent infection from partners, acquaintances or family members. Infection can be triggered by kissing, using the same toothbrush or utensil. To prevent infection, attention should be paid to good general health in addition to the risks of infection mentioned above. Even if the disease has not yet broken out and you carry the bacteria of periodontal disease, a weakened immune system, medication, stress, smoking or alcohol can promote the onset of periodontal disease.

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Transmission of periodontal disease through kissing

Periodontal disease is a disease of the oral cavity in which the teeth holding apparatus degenerate. This can lead to loss of teeth. The transmission of this infectious disease can take place through direct transmission, for example by means of saliva when kissing. As soon as one of the partners notices the symptoms of periodontal disease (bleeding gums, bad breath, sensitivity to irritation, receding gums), you should not kiss your partner in addition to visiting a doctor immediately. In addition, both should undergo periodontal therapy so as not to infect each other again in the future through kissing.

How do I protect my baby?

It is very important to keep your baby from becoming infected with periodontal bacteria. This is best achieved by avoiding a direct exchange of saliva, for example giving a kiss, or an indirect transmission. The latter can be done, for example, by using the pacifier or testing the warmth of the food or milk for the baby with your own tongue. You should also make sure that the baby does not put anything in its mouth that has already come into contact with its own oral cavity. Furthermore, as in adults, the outbreak of a disease also depends on the immune system. A healthy diet and the right nutrients for a good immune system in the baby are therefore very important. Furthermore, an early and correctly performed oral hygiene is one of the basic requirements for a healthy oral flora. This should start at the beginning of teething and be carried out with a small, soft toothbrush suitable for the appropriate age. But even during pregnancy you have to protect the unborn baby from periodontal disease. Interestingly, animal experiments and clinical studies show connections between periodontitis during pregnancy and underweight premature births. For this reason, extensive oral hygiene is very important during pregnancy.

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When do i need antibiotics?

In many cases, basic therapy, consisting of thorough manual cleaning of the teeth and gum pockets by the dentist, is sufficient to combat periodontal disease. However, if it is already a severe or a very aggressive form of periodontal disease, accompanying antibiotic treatment is necessary to stop the inflammation. The antibiotic is usually given in tablet form. However, the dentist may also apply the antibiotic as an ointment or gel directly into the gum pockets in which the aggressive bacteria that cause periodontal disease are located. The dentist decides whether antibiotics are necessary. A bacterial test, which is evaluated in the laboratory, is recommended for targeted antibiotic treatment.

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