[Is it possible for periodontal patients to recognize periodontal disease].

The purpose of this study was the evaluation of clinical symptoms of periodontal disease in a sample of adult periodontal patients, that were presented for periodontal treatment in the private clinics of the authors during a period of ten years. A questionnaire was designed for this reason which included questions related to gingival bleeding, gingival enlargement, tooth migration and tooth mobility. 330 questionnaires were evaluated from a total of 1175 consisting a representative sample. The results have showed that the clinical symptoms that directed patients to look for periodontal treatment were (a) gingival bleeding when brushing or spontaneously (74.78%), (b) tooth mobility (65.65%), (c) presence of gingival enlargement (60%) and (d) tooth migration (36.96%). Comparison between positive answers, in all questions in relation with the presence of the clinical symptoms of periodontal disease showed significant differences between men and women. Furthermore, women were presented for appropriate periodontal treatment with the presence of two symptoms while men with the presence of three. In conclusion gingival bleeding when brushing or spontaneously is a symptom that is easily evaluated by the patient--as the results of this study indicated--provided he knows its significance. Therefore, emphasis must be given in informing the patients regarding its significance.