Periodontal diseases have local and general consequences on human health. Many of the local symptoms like bleeding, bad breath, receding gums, tooth mobility, pain and eventually tooth loss, can greatly affect the quality of life of patients and cause discomfort and anxiety.
Bleeding gums are common at all stages, and the patient is also likely to experience soreness and sensitivity due to inflammation of the gums. This can potentially affect enjoyment of certain foods and make proper oral hygiene difficult.
As periodontal disease progresses, the gums recede and leave the dentine at the root exposed. As a result, dentine hypersensitivity and root caries can also occur alongside periodontitis, further impacting quality of life and leading to more potentially invasive treatment.
Periodontitis creates pockets between the teeth and gums that can be difficult to clean. Food and bacteria can easily become trapped, leading to further plaque build-up and halitosis, or bad breath. This can cause considerable embarrassment and anxiety for the patient.
Advanced periodontal disease can lead to loss of teeth, which can be shocking and distressing to patients. If the tooth is visible, its absence might negatively affect the patient’s confidence and self-esteem.
From a systemic health perspective, the persistent inflammation of periodontal tissues may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease,chronic kidney disease, and rheumatoid arthritis and can adversely affect diabetes control and pregnancy outcomes.