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- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $feed_nid declared before required parameter $context is implicitly treated as a required parameter in include_once() (line 1439 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/bootstrap.inc).
- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $data declared before required parameter $info is implicitly treated as a required parameter in include_once() (line 1439 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/bootstrap.inc).
- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $type declared before required parameter $key is implicitly treated as a required parameter in include_once() (line 1439 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/bootstrap.inc).
- Deprecated function: Return type of DateObject::__wakeup() should either be compatible with DateTime::__wakeup(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in include_once() (line 143 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/date/date_api/date_api.module).
- Deprecated function: Return type of DateObject::format($format, $force = false) should either be compatible with DateTime::format(string $format): string, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in include_once() (line 143 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/date/date_api/date_api.module).
- Deprecated function: Return type of DateObject::setTimezone($tz, $force = false) should either be compatible with DateTime::setTimezone(DateTimeZone $timezone): DateTime, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in include_once() (line 143 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/date/date_api/date_api.module).
- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $input declared before required parameter $form_state is implicitly treated as a required parameter in include_once() (line 1439 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/bootstrap.inc).
- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $rrule declared before required parameter $item is implicitly treated as a required parameter in include_once() (line 1439 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/bootstrap.inc).
- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $rrule_values declared before required parameter $item is implicitly treated as a required parameter in include_once() (line 1439 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/bootstrap.inc).
- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $data declared before required parameter $name is implicitly treated as a required parameter in require_once() (line 342 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/module.inc).
- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $data declared before required parameter $name is implicitly treated as a required parameter in require_once() (line 342 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/module.inc).
- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $file declared before required parameter $entity_type is implicitly treated as a required parameter in require_once() (line 342 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/module.inc).
- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $account declared before required parameter $entity_type is implicitly treated as a required parameter in require_once() (line 342 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/module.inc).
- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $entity declared before required parameter $entity_type is implicitly treated as a required parameter in require_once() (line 342 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/module.inc).
- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $account declared before required parameter $entity_type is implicitly treated as a required parameter in require_once() (line 342 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/module.inc).
- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $values declared before required parameter $entity_type is implicitly treated as a required parameter in require_once() (line 342 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/module.inc).
- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $view_mode declared before required parameter $entity_type is implicitly treated as a required parameter in require_once() (line 342 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/module.inc).
- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $langcode declared before required parameter $entity_type is implicitly treated as a required parameter in require_once() (line 342 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/module.inc).
- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $input declared before required parameter $form_state is implicitly treated as a required parameter in require_once() (line 12 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/media/media.module).
- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $input declared before required parameter $form_state is implicitly treated as a required parameter in include_once() (line 1439 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/bootstrap.inc).
- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $input declared before required parameter $form_state is implicitly treated as a required parameter in include_once() (line 1439 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/bootstrap.inc).
- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $input declared before required parameter $form_state is implicitly treated as a required parameter in include_once() (line 1439 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/bootstrap.inc).
- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $path declared before required parameter $langcode is implicitly treated as a required parameter in include_once() (line 1439 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/bootstrap.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property alpha_theme_container::$delta is deprecated in alpha_theme_container->__construct() (line 25 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/themes/omega/alpha/includes/base.inc).
- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $edit declared before required parameter $node is implicitly treated as a required parameter in include_once() (line 78 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/nodequeue/nodequeue.module).
- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $edit declared before required parameter $node is implicitly treated as a required parameter in include_once() (line 78 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/nodequeue/nodequeue.module).
- Deprecated function: preg_match(): Passing null to parameter #2 ($subject) of type string is deprecated in internal_nodes_url_outbound_alter() (line 190 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/internal_nodes/internal_nodes.module).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property metatag_views_plugin_display_extender_metatags::$is_plugin is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
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- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$display_plugin is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
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- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property metatag_views_plugin_display_extender_metatags::$is_plugin is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$is_plugin is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$default_display is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$vid is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$id is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$display_title is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$display_plugin is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$position is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property metatag_views_plugin_display_extender_metatags::$is_plugin is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$is_plugin is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$default_display is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$vid is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$id is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$display_title is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$display_plugin is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$position is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property metatag_views_plugin_display_extender_metatags::$is_plugin is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$is_plugin is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$default_display is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$vid is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$id is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$display_title is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$display_plugin is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$position is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property view::$export_module is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property view::$type is deprecated in ctools_export_load_object() (line 537 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/ctools/includes/export.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property view::$export_type is deprecated in ctools_export_load_object() (line 538 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/ctools/includes/export.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property view::$in_code_only is deprecated in ctools_export_load_object() (line 539 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/ctools/includes/export.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property view::$table is deprecated in ctools_export_load_object() (line 540 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/ctools/includes/export.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_default::$is_plugin is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 59 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_default::$localization_keys is deprecated in view->init_display() (line 501 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/view.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property metatag_views_plugin_display_extender_metatags::$is_plugin is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 59 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$is_plugin is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 59 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$localization_keys is deprecated in view->init_display() (line 501 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/view.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property metatag_views_plugin_display_extender_metatags::$is_plugin is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 59 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$default_display is deprecated in view->init_display() (line 509 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/view.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$is_plugin is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 59 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$localization_keys is deprecated in view->init_display() (line 501 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/view.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property metatag_views_plugin_display_extender_metatags::$is_plugin is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 59 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$default_display is deprecated in view->init_display() (line 509 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/view.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$is_plugin is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 59 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$localization_keys is deprecated in view->init_display() (line 501 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/view.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property metatag_views_plugin_display_extender_metatags::$is_plugin is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 59 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$default_display is deprecated in view->init_display() (line 509 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/view.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property view::$relationships_fixed is deprecated in view->fix_missing_relationships() (line 628 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/view.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_field_date::$is_handler is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 55 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_field_date::$localization_keys is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 224 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_localization_none::$is_plugin is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 59 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property view::$localization_plugin is deprecated in view->init_localization() (line 2141 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/view.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_field_date::$table is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 235 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_field_date::$field is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 247 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_field_date::$is_handler is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 55 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_field_date::$localization_keys is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 224 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_field_date::$table is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 235 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_field_date::$field is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 247 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property feeds_views_handler_field_log_message::$is_handler is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 55 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property feeds_views_handler_field_log_message::$localization_keys is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 224 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property feeds_views_handler_field_log_message::$table is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 235 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property feeds_views_handler_field_log_message::$field is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 247 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property feeds_views_handler_field_severity::$is_handler is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 55 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property feeds_views_handler_field_severity::$localization_keys is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 224 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property feeds_views_handler_field_severity::$table is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 235 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property feeds_views_handler_field_severity::$field is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 247 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_argument_numeric::$is_handler is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 55 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_argument_numeric::$localization_keys is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 224 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_argument_numeric::$table is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 235 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_argument_numeric::$field is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 247 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_sort::$is_handler is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 55 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_sort::$localization_keys is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 224 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_sort::$table is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 235 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_sort::$field is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 247 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property feeds_views_handler_filter_severity::$is_handler is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 55 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property feeds_views_handler_filter_severity::$value_title is deprecated in views_handler_filter_in_operator->construct() (line 36 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/handlers/views_handler_filter_in_operator.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property feeds_views_handler_filter_severity::$localization_keys is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 224 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property feeds_views_handler_filter_severity::$table is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 235 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property feeds_views_handler_filter_severity::$field is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 247 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_area_text::$is_handler is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 55 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_area_text::$localization_keys is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 224 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_area_text::$table is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 235 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_area_text::$field is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 247 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property view::$inited is deprecated in view->init_handlers() (line 713 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/view.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property feeds_views_plugin_argument_validate_feed_nid::$is_plugin is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 59 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property feeds_views_plugin_argument_validate_feed_nid::$argument is deprecated in views_plugin_argument_validate->init() (line 26 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/plugins/views_plugin_argument_validate.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_argument_numeric::$argument_validated is deprecated in views_handler_argument->validate_arg() (line 1068 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/handlers/views_handler_argument.inc).
Dental Basics: Understanding Periodontal Disease
March 11, 2013
Years of practice have convinced me that most people don’t “get” this -- but they should.
Here’s how I know, and why you need to understand periodontal disease.
Now, when I say people don’t “get” periodontal disease, what I mean is that they don’t understand it. Naturally, the problem is that they do get it, and in much larger numbers than was previously considered to be the case.
According to recent findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Periodontology, nearly half of American adults older than age 30 years have periodontal disease. These studies also found that the prevalence of periodontitis rises to 70.1% in adults older than age 65.
Study authors found that 47.2% of the population (which would account for approximately 64.7 million adults) has periodontal disease, a figure far higher than previous national estimates.
So how do I know most people don’t understand the problem?
Here are two real-life examples that I encounter much too often:
Scenario One:
When told they have periodontal disease, the patient responds -- “Oh, yeah. I had that treated once some years ago.”
Scenario Two:
Dentist: You have periodontal disease.
Patient: Yes, my last dentist told me and I got the treatment.
Dentist: Do you understand what it is?
Patient: No.
The last scenario is an obvious case of non-understanding, by the patient’s very admission. (This was an actual exchange, by the way.) But what is it about the first one that lets me know the person doesn’t really understand their condition? Simply this:
If not controlled, periodontal disease can be progressive. If controlled once, but later neglected, it can return. Usually, at this point in the discussion, it has returned and the patient is not aware of it. Its not like a childhood disease that you get once and then never again.
In fact, there is a reason it is the number one cause of tooth loss worldwide and it is that most people just don’t know they have it. In a great many cases -- probably most -- it doesn’t hurt until it is too late.
Take a look at the x-ray to the left:
The red line roughly traces the patient’s bone level.
Would you expect this patient’s teeth to be loose?
If you answered “yes” you would be correct. There is little there to support them.
Now look at the second x-ray:
Notice the lower line marked by the red arrow.
This is approximately where the patient’s bone used to be.
That’s periodontal disease.
(It is also sometimes called "gum disease" because the gums that lay over the bone are generaly affected as well.)
Sometimes, it is not until I trace these lines out for people that they really get it. I hope you understand it a little better now, too, because there is a very good chance you may have it or get it at some point in your life -- and it probably won’t give you much of a warning sign in the early stages.
Periodontal disease doesn’t have to be evenly distributed in the mouth. It can limited to one or several teeth. Everybody has a different predisposition to periodontal disease, but there is a great deal you can do to prevent it.
Step one is see your dentist for an examination if you haven’t had one in a while. Ask questions and learn more about what you can do to halt its spread. Wouldn't you rather be in the group of 30% that doesn't have periodontal disease than the group of 70% that do?
