Similar response (87.2%) was cited for two factors causing periodontal disease - which are bacteria in the mouth
and poor oral hygiene. This is followed by injury while brushing (76.9%), while calculus and sugary food was
agreed by 71.8% of the participants, followed by smoking (59.0%) and systemic diseases (48.7%). All patients
recognised “inflamed and pain gingival” as symptoms of periodontal disease. Other symptoms identified were
“gingival bleeding while tooth brushing” (92.3%), tooth sensitivity (79.5%), loose tooth (74.4%) and oral
maolodour (69.2%). Good oral hygiene care and regular check-up were cited by almost all respondents (97.4%)
as factors that can prevent periodontal disease. This was followed by reduction of sugary food ( 84.6%) and
brushing teeth after meal (74.4%). Almost half of the participants (48.7%) perceived that antibiotic / medication
could treat periodontal disease followed by cleaning and removing all plaque and calculus (38.5%). 12.8% of the
subjects admitted that they did not know the treatment for periodontal disease.