Is periodontal disease contagious, and do you need to visit the best dentist in Beverly Hills to treat it? These are some of the common questions people ask. Periodontal diseases are wide, ranging from less complicated and seemingly harmless gum inflammation to more serious diseases that can lead to tooth loss. At Smile Angels of Beverly Hills, we have the experience needed to treat periodontal diseases, including gingivitis.
But is gum disease contagious? Is periodontitis contagious? And is gingivitis contagious? Stick around because we will answer all these questions in the next sections. We also have answers to such questions as “can gum disease spread to another person” “can you give someone gum disease” and “is gingivitis contagious by kissing”.
Table of Contents
Is Periodontal Disease Contagious?
“Is gum disease contagious?” is a question that has been asked several times. According to dental experts, the question “is periodontitis contagious?” should not be so alarming. That is because periodontal disease may not be contagious despite the disease being a result of an inflammatory reaction to the bacteria found in the mouth. Nevertheless, the same bacteria that causes periodontal disease lives in the saliva. Therefore, to some extent, it is safe to say that periodontal disease is contagious.
Needless to say, the best way to prevent periodontal disease contagious is to avoid mouth-to-mouth contact with someone having gingivitis or any form of periodontal disease. Another reliable and highly recommended way to control periodontal disease contagious is to visit the best cosmetic dentist in Beverly Hills. We are talking about Smile Angels of Beverly Hills. Headed by Dr. Bruce Vafa, this dental care center promises to help you get over all kinds of periodontal diseases.
The question “is periodontal disease contagious” may not have a direct answer. That is why, in this post on periodontal disease contagious, we talk about everything from periodontal disease contagious to providing answers to such questions as “is gingivitis contagious”, “can gum disease spread to another person”, “is gingivitis contagious through kissing”, and “can you give someone gum disease”. We also look at the services the best dentist in Beverly Hills offers, especially when it comes to curbing periodontal disease contagious.
What is Periodontal Disease?
With the question “is periodontal disease contagious?” behind us now, it is time to really know what periodontal disease is. “Periodontal” is a two-in-one word, which can be divided into “peri” to mean around and “odontal” to mean teeth. It is, therefore, safe to say that a periodontal disease consists of infections affecting the structures of the teeth. These structures include the alveolar bone, the periodontal ligament, the cementum, which covers the root, and, of course, the gums.
As mentioned earlier, periodontal disease is due to bacteria in dental plaque. Plaque, on the other hand, is that sticky substance, which forms on teeth soon after you are done brushing them. Immediately your body realizes that there are bacteria in dental plaque, it activates the cells of your immune system to release substances that damage and inflame the alveolar bone, periodontal ligament, and gums.
The result is swollen and bleeding gums. At this point, you may be having gingivitis, which is the earliest stage of periodontal disease. Before moving on, we must ask ourselves this question; is gingivitis contagious? Well, according to AAP (American Academy of Periodontology), periodontal disease, which gingivitis is a form of, is not technically contagious. Nevertheless, this does not mean it cannot spread from one person to another. This means the answer to the question “can you give someone gum disease” is a resounding yes.
This also leads us to another question, which is “is gingivitis contagious by kissing”. Well, studies show that yes, you can get gingivitis if you kiss someone with it. That is because saliva is exchanged during kissing. And if the bacteria causing gingivitis are in the saliva, then the chances of them being passed into your mouth are high. You must, however, note that you may not get gingivitis even when you kiss someone having it if you maintain good oral health.
And, to achieve this, you will definitely need the services of Smile Angels of Beverly Hills. Bruce is not regarded as the best cosmetic dentist in Beverly Hills for no reason. He is dedicated to making sure you get exceptional dental services that will literally leave a bright smile on your face. Whether it is a dental implant or looking to get rid of periodontal disease, Bruce of Smile Angels is here for you.
How Periodontal Disease Spreads
Your teeth, bone, and connective tissue are safe during the earliest stages of periodontal disease. However, if nothing is done during this stage, then gingivitis can quickly turn into something worse; severe periodontitis. Severe periodontitis is the advanced stage of periodontal disease. And, like with the question “is gingivitis contagious”, we also have to ask the question “is periodontitis contagious”.
Periodontitis can be described as a gum infection. It is where bacteria that cause the gums to be infected travel through saliva. That being said, the question “is periodontitis contagious” is in the affirmative. And, like the resounding yes to the question “is gingivitis contagious by kissing”, well, you can get periodontitis through kissing. This means if your significant other has periodontal disease, then your chances of having gum problems become higher than someone whose spouse does not have the disease.
Studies also show that contact through saliva is pretty common in family settings. That is because people living under one roof cough, sneeze, and even share food and utensils. With that said, children whose parents have periodontal disease have a higher chance of developing the disease. So far, the article has answered the questions “is gum disease contagious” and “can you give someone gum disease”
Next, let’s check what you need to do to stop the spread of periodontal disease. With the question “is gum disease contagious” being in the affirmative, you need to do the following to curb its spread:
Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Daily oral care is not just suitable for adults; kids should practice it as well. So, when brushing your teeth, make sure you help your kids do it too. According to studies, kids do not really know how to brush their teeth until the age of seven. In addition to brushing two times every day, you should visit the dentist. Visiting the best dentist in Beverly Hills is highly recommended, considering that they have the experience needed to make sure your oral health is outstanding.
From the question “is gum disease contagious”, we realize that even kids do suffer from periodontal disease. That being said, if you have any concerns about your little one having gum disease, do not hesitate to let the dentist know when you visit them. The dentist is likely to carry out a gum probe. Here, they assess the health of your kid’s gums and teeth.
Treating Periodontal Disease
The questions “is periodontitis contagious”, “is gingivitis contagious”, “can you give someone gum disease”, and “is gingivitis contagious by kissing” all show that gum disease can spread from one person to another. Therefore, in the unfortunate event that you have periodontal disease, the first thing you should do is seek medical assistance.
This is very important because periodontal disease starts as gingivitis and then later moves to an advanced stage, which is periodontitis. Tooth loss, when periodontal disease hits the advanced stage, starts to occur. The dentist will confirm if you indeed have gum disease. Treatment then starts immediately if this is the case.
Summary
Can gum disease spread to another person? Technically, no. But, since the bacteria that cause it travel in saliva, gum disease can indeed spread from one person to another. This means if you have gum disease or periodontal disease, then you should avoid saliva-to-saliva contact with other people. You should also seek treatment from Smile Angels of Beverly Hills immediately.