Screening for Periodontal Disease

by Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD

En Español (Spanish Version)

The purpose of screening is early diagnosis and treatment. Screening tests are given to people without current symptoms, but who may be at high risk for certain diseases or conditions.

Screening Guidelines

The American Dental Association recommends regular dental checkups every 6 months. Screening for periodontal disease should be part of every regular dental examination.

Screening Tests

Dental exam—Your dentist will perform a careful survey of the appearance of your gums. Each tooth will be checked for looseness, and your dentist will 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 (millimeters) in depth.
Dental x-ray—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.

REFERENCES:

Gum disease risk factors. American Academy of Periodontology website. Available at: https://www.perio.org/consumer/risk-factors. Accessed August 17, 2016.

Gum (Periodontal) Disease. NIH SeniorHealth website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed August 17, 2016.

Periodontal disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed August 17, 2016.

Periodontal (gum) disease: Causes, symptoms, and treatments. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed August 17, 2016.

• Previous • Next

Last reviewed February 2021 by EBSCO Medical Review Board
Last Updated: 4/6/2021

EBSCO Information Services is fully accredited by URAC. URAC is an independent, nonprofit health care accrediting organization dedicated to promoting health care quality through accreditation, certification and commendation.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

To send comments or feedback to our Editorial Team regarding the content please email us at healthlibrarysupport@ebsco.com. Our Health Library Support team will respond to your email request within 2 business days.