How long does periodontitis take before resulting in tooth loss?

Usually many years: It usually takes 10 to 20 years but that can vary depending on things like personal dental hygiene, whether someone smokes, diet, personal immune system health, having diabetes, type of bacteria someone has in their mouth, and stress level.

Don't wait: No one should wait until their periodontal disease gets so bad that they are in danger of losing their teeth. Treatment is relatively easy and inexpensive with early diagnosis and treatment. Not only does your oral hygiene plays a role, but many medical conditions such as diabetes and factors such as smoking hasten the process. See your dentist for a complete and thorough periodontal exam.

Years: The diseases of the gums are usually asymptomatic, so the patient goes many years without treatment. Many times, if you wait until it hurts, it is too late for predictable care.

It depends: Many factors can hasten the loss of teeth from periodontitis, it is impossible to predict, it can take years to be noticed by the patients, it is called the silent disease. Periodontal disease is site specific, which means you can have bone loss at different stages in the same mouth and one area can flare up from one day to the next. It is best not to wait too long before seeking treatment.

Gum damage: Periodontitis is a very slow, insidious bacterial infection. Gradually, usually over decades, destroys the gum and bone tissues that support the teeth. The rate of progress is influenced by regular professional care, effectiveness of a complete oral hygiene program, the occlusion, stress, smoking (anything), alcohol abuse, para-functional habits, integrity of the dentition, systemic disease, etc.