Is Periodontitis Contagious?
Periodontitis is possibly the most serious of all the problems that you can have inside of your mouth. A severe case of periodontitis can cause tooth loss and even serious health issues down the line if it is not taken care of. While most periodontal cases happen in older people, some people as young as teens have this problem in rare cases of advanced juvenile periodontitis. Knowing this, you may be wondering if this is a contagious disease.
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Identification
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Periodontal disease is a form of gum disease that eats away at the bone around your teeth. Bacteria below the surface of the gums is the culprit. Open pockets develop around the teeth that allow bacteria to get in and eat at the bone of the teeth. Once most of that bone is gone it is very difficult to replace, but there are advanced dental bone grafting surgeries available. In many cases, brushing won't help much after a certain point since the bacteria is so deep below the surface of the gums. You have to see an experienced periodontist to cure this disease, which is hereditary and can cause other health issues.
Symptoms
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The most telling symptom of periodontitis is red, swollen gums that bleed when they are touched or brushed. That combined with bad mouth odor and loosened teeth is a clear indication that you need to see a periodontist, and fast. If your dentist can stick a dental probe deep into your gums (more than 6 or 7 mm deep) before hitting skin, that is a clear sign of a gum disease issue.
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How Can It Be Spread?
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According to studies on spouses of periodontal patients, periodontitis is not a contagious disease (see "References" for more information). But still you should make every effort to protect your mouth from the bacteria that causes periodontal problems. Dentists strongly advise against sharing toothbrushes (or floss) with someone who has periodontitis. This is because these tools can reach and hold the bacteria that causes gum disease.
Kissing
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It is not 100 percent clear if periodontitis can be spread from kissing. It seems unlikely, since the bacteria that causes periodontitis is located well below the gums. Still, it would be good practice for someone with periodontal disease to brush his teeth thoroughly and gargle with mouthwash before kissing another person.
How to Avoid Periodontal Issues
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Always floss. A lack of flossing is one of the major causes of periodontal issues later on in life. The food that gets trapped between your teeth after you eat a meal needs to be removed daily (or after every meal). If the food particles sit there too long untouched, bacteria will develop. Also, regular brushing, at least twice per day, from a very young age can also help reduce your risk for periodontitis. Unfortunately, in some cases the condition is hard to avoid, even with good dental hygiene, because it is hereditary. Thankfully, there are many progressive dental treatments for this problem---the earlier the problem is caught, the better.
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