I can feel a ridge at the bottom of my tooth on the gum line, do I have periodontitis?

Q.
Is there a good way of checking for periodontal disease. I was flossing the other day and felt a ridge just at my gum line on one or two of my teeth with the spikey bit. I looked online and apparently this could be the bottom of my enamel/ start of my roots. this worried me as I have has a bit of gingivitis in the past but had hoped to have eradicated it. upon my research I found that periodontal disease was the destructive version of the disease and i’m worried I may have it. could you tell me the difference between to gingivitis and periodontal disease as well as how I can check for it. thank you for your help
A.
Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gum caused by plaque. It is normally a reversible condition so that when the plaque is removed the inflammation disappears. In susceptible individuals when gingivitis persists may result in loss of bone support that is when it is called periodontitis. Bone loss and presence of active gum disease can be easily identified by a clinical and radiographic examination carried out by a dentist. Nevertheless it is common to experience certain degree of gum recession and exposure of the roots in the abscence of any periodontitis. Thin gums and agressive brushing are the common causes.
Dr Jose Zurdo

Dr Jose Zurdo

Mall Dental Care
Pall Mall, Manchester, M2 4DU
Web: www.malldental.com Tel: 0161 830 7300

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