The purpose of screening is early diagnosis and treatment. Screening tests are usually given to people without current symptoms, but who may be at high risk for certain diseases or conditions.
- Dental exam—Your dentist will perform a careful survey of the appearance of your gums, check each tooth for looseness, and use a probe to identify and measure any spaces, known as pockets, between your gums and teeth. If you have periodontal disease, these pockets will measure more than 3 mm in depth.
—This type of x-ray may reveal whether or not the bones that support your teeth show signs of deterioration.
Evidence of bone loss around teeth is one of the signs of more advanced periodontal disease.
According to the American Dental Association, you should have a regular dental checkup every six months. Screening for periodontal disease should be part of every regular dental examination.
Gum disease. American Dental Association's Mouth Healthy website. Available at:
http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/g/gum-disease. Accessed October 14, 2013.
Gum disease information. American Academy of Periodontology website. Available at:
http://www.perio.org/consumer/gum-disease.htm. Accessed October 14, 2013.
Periodontal (gum) disease. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research website. Available at:
http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/DataStatistics/FindDataByTopic/GumDisease/. Accessed October 14, 2013.
Last reviewed September 2013 by Michael Woods, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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