Take a Self-Evaluation Quiz To See If You Have Periodontal Disease

     You may not realize that persistent swollen, red or bleeding gums, tooth sensitivity, and bad breath are warning signs of periodontal (gum) disease -- a serious infection that, left untreated, can lead to tooth loss.

PERIODONTAL DISEASE IS USUALLY A PAINLESS PROGRESSIVE DISEASE

Test 1

     Jot down your answers to the following questions to find out if you have the symptoms of periodontal disease.

1. Do you ever have pain in your mouth?
   
2. Do your gums ever bleed when you brush your teeth or when you eat hard food?
3. Have you noticed any spaces developing between your teeth?
   
4. Do your gums ever feel swollen or tender?
   
5. Have you noticed that your gums are receding (pulling back from your teeth) or your teeth appear longer than before?
   
6. Do you have persistent bad breath?
   
7. Have you noticed pus between your teeth and gums?
   
8. Have you noticed any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite?
   
9. Do you ever develop sores in your mouth?

If you answered yes to any of these questions you may have symptoms of periodontal disease, so take action to protect your gums and your health and call use today.

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Individuals who have systemic, localized or oral inflammatory diseases need to disinfect or frequently replace their toothbrushes.*

Early-onset periodontal disease affects between one and 10 percent of
the United States population, according to the NIDCR report, and
involves the rapid destruction of alveolar bone and attachment loss
of gums from the teeth. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, Research digest, 10/01

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Test 2

Are you at Risk for Periodontal Disease?

1. Do you have diabetes that requires you to take insulin?              if yes add       20 pts

2. Do you smoke more than 10 cigarettes a day?                           if yes add      20 pts

3. Do you have diabetes but are not required to take insulin?          if yes add      10 pts

4. If you have been treated for gum disease and see your dentist regularly?..no   10pts

5. Have you lost a tooth in the last 3 years due to gum disease?     if yes add        9 pts

6. Do have your teeth cleaned at least ONCE a year?                   if no add         7 pts

7. Do you brush your teeth at least once a day?                             if no add         4pts

8. Do you floss at least once a day?                                              if no add         4 pts

9. Do your gums bleed when you brush or floss your teeth?           if yes add        4 pts

10. Are you over 50 years old?                                                      if yes add        4 pts

11. Do your gums hurt when you brush or floss your teeth?             if yes add        3 pts

12. Have you noticed your gums shrinking?                                    if yes add        3 pts

13. Do sensitive teeth keep you from brusing more often?               if yes add        2 pts

14. Now total up your points: _________________pts

If you score is 15 points or more you may be at higher risk for developing gum disease.  You should see your dentist and discuss your self assessment with him/her.

According to United States Government statistics periodontal disease affects 75% of our adult population!

Test courtesy of: American Academy of Periodontology and Pro-Dentec.

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*The Effects of Toothpastes on the Residual Microbial Contamination of Toothbrushes - JADA The Journal of the American Dental Association, September 2001,1241-1245) Warren; Goldschmidt; Thompson; Adler-Storthz; Keene

Treatment Ideas for Periodontal Disease.