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Periodontal Disease is not ContagiousPeriodontal disease is a multi-faceted disease. The initiating factors are primarily oral bacteria, and these bacteria can be spread from person to person. So, in that respect, periodontal disease is technically 'infectious' because it takes direct contact (person-to-person, intimate kissing) or vector contact (sharing a toothbrush for example) to spread the bacteria. Being in close proximity, such as working in the same room with someone with periodontal disease is not enough to contract the disease.

The other leading risk factors that determine whether someone will develop the disease are as follows:

1. Are you a smoker? Over 50% of people with advanced perio disease are either current or former smokers. Smoking, among other things, inhibits the body's defenses from fighting the disease.

2. Underlying chronic systemic disease, such as Diabetes. Conditions like diabetes interfere with the body's natural defenses and healing.

3. Family history. It has been shown there is a genetic predisposition to developing periodontal disease. As much as 30% of the adult population may be genetically predisposed to periodontal disease.

4. Oral hygiene. Inadequate oral hygiene practices (not enough brushing, flossing, etc.) allow the oral bacteria to thrive.

5. Irregular or non-existent professional care. Over time, personal oral hygiene is simply not enough to ward off periodontal disease for most people. Routine preventive and periodontal therapy by a qualified dental professional can go a long way in helping avoid the consequences of periodontal disease. They can also recommend strategies specific to your particular situation.

6. Age. The older a person is, the greater risk for developing perio disease.

7. Medications. Certain medications can interfere with the body's natural defenses against periodontal disease. Examples would be drugs that cause xerostomia (dry mouth) or drugs that cause hypertrophic tissue growth, such as Dilantin or other anti-seizure medications. Discuss your particular situation with your healthcare provider before stopping or changing any medical therapy.

Some risk factors are controllable (smoking, oral hygiene, professional care) and others are not (genetics, age). Work with your dental professional to control those factors you can, and forget about those you cannot.

Periodontal disease is a chronic, inflammatory, progressive, degenerative condition that has been shown to be the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. While it is not curable, it can, in most cases, be controlled with adequate personal oral hygiene and appropriate professional care.

Don't worry, you cannot contract periodontal disease simply from being with someone who has the disease.

But One Exceptionyou kiss someone who has advanced periodontal disease, there could be a transfer of microorganisms that cause the disease.
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11y ago
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15y ago

Most people are unaware that periodontal disease is contagious, and was probably contracted at an early age. Microbes are passed from one person to another, instigating the first stage of periodontal disease: tooth decay. Other stages include pyorrhea and gingivitis, usually considered separate diseases, but which are actually part of the same disease. Loose teeth, bleeding and pain are all evidence of the microbial organisms settling along the gum line and working their way under, where they will settle in a place that cannot be reached by flossing and brushing. To combat periodontal disease, one must be able to clean under the gum line, where pockets form between teeth and gums in the presence of decay. But brushing for five minutes and flossing three times a day won't do a thing to flush out the microbes hidden in these pockets. One of the first steps in treating periodontal disease is to realize that this is a wound to your body - the same as an infected cut on your arm. You must eliminate the cause - keep the wound clean. Many people own an electric oral irrigator of some sort. It usually gets stored in the same place - under the sink gathering dust. Out of sight - out of mind. If there was a small cut on your hand that bled every time you washed your hands, it wouldn't take you long to get to the doctor. The same thing is going on in your mouth; however you don't see it. (But, you can sure smell it.) Luckily, there is a simple and inexpensive way to clean those pockets every day. An oral irrigator that attaches to your shower head or sink faucet allows users to flush particles out which are trapped between the teeth and under the gum line. For deeper pockets, irrigation with a solution such as a salt/baking soda/water mixture may be required. Many people have found relief using Hydrogen Peroxide (for a limited time) and colloidal silver. Irrigating tools for using an un-diluted solution are available on the internet.

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12y ago

an element is a pure substance that cannot be broken down into and simpler subtances mychemical methods

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