Description

Periodontitis (per-e-o-don-TIE-tis), also called gum disease, is a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue around the teeth. Without treatment, gum disease can destroy the bone that supports the teeth. This can cause teeth to loosen or lead to tooth loss.

Periodontitis is very common, but can usually be prevented. It is often the result of not taking care of your mouth and teeth. To help prevent the disease or improve your chances of success in the treatment, brush your teeth at least twice a day, flossing daily and regular dental checkups.

Symptoms

Healthy gums are firm and fit snugly around the teeth. The color of the gums healthy may vary. You can be in the range of light pink in some people, dark pink and brown in others.

The symptoms of periodontitis can include:

  • Inflamed or swollen gums.
  • Bright red, dark red or dark purple gum.
  • Gums that feel tender to touch.
  • Gums that bleed easily.
  • A toothbrush looks pink after brushing the teeth.
  • Spitting blood when brushing or flossing the teeth.
  • The bad breath that will not go away.
  • Pus between the teeth and gums.
  • Loose teeth or tooth loss.
  • Pain when chewing.
  • New spaces that develop between the teeth that look black triangles.
  • Gums that pull away from the teeth, making your teeth look longer than usual, called the retraction of the gums.
  • A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite.

When to see a dentist

Follow your dentist's recommended schedule for regular check-ups. If you notice any of the symptoms of gum disease, make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. Before receiving care, the better your chances of reversing the damage of periodontitis.

Causes

In most cases, the development of periodontitis begins with the board. Plaque is a sticky film composed mainly of bacteria. If it's not, here's how the plate can move along the time to periodontitis:

  • Plaque forms on your teeth when starches and sugars in food interact with bacteria that are commonly found in the mouth. Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day removes the plate, but the plate quickly comes back.
  • Plaque can harden under your gumline into tartar , if it is kept in your teeth. The tartar is the most difficult to remove. You can't get rid of it by brushing and flossing — you need a professional dental cleaning to remove it. Because plaque and tartar are filled with bacteria, the time remaining on your teeth, the more damage they can do.
  • The plate can cause gingivitis, the milder form of gum disease. Gum disease is an irritation and inflammation of the gum tissue around the base of the teeth. The gum is another word for gum tissue. Gingivitis is reversible with professional treatment and good oral care, but only if treated in time, before you have bone loss.
  • Continuous irritation of the gums and inflammation, called inflammation, it can cause periodontitis. This will eventually cause deep pockets between the gums and teeth. These bags fill with plaque, tartar and bacteria to become more profound over time. If not treated, these deep infections cause a loss of tissue and bone. Finally, you may lose one or more teeth. In addition, the ongoing inflammation can put a strain on your immune system, causing other health problems.

Risk factors

Factors that may increase your risk of periodontitis are:

  • Gingivitis.
  • Poor oral health care habits.
  • Smoking or chewing tobacco.
  • Hormonal changes, such as those associated with pregnancy or menopause.
  • The use of recreational drugs, such as marijuana smoking or vaping.
  • Obesity.
  • Poor nutrition, including a low level of vitamin C.
  • Genetics.
  • Certain medications that cause dry mouth or changes in the gums.
  • Conditions that lower immunity, such as leukemia, HIV / AIDS and the treatment of cancer.
  • Certain diseases, such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and Crohn's disease.

Complications

Periodontitis can cause tooth loss. The bacteria that cause gum disease can enter the bloodstream through the tissue of the gums, possibly affecting other parts of your body. For example, periodontitis is linked with respiratory disease, rheumatoid arthritis, coronary artery disease, premature birth and low birth weight, and problems with the control of blood sugar in diabetes.

Prevention

The best way to prevent periodontal disease is to get in the habit of taking good care of the mouth and teeth. Start this routine at a young age and keep it for a lifetime.

  • A good oral care. This means that you should brush your teeth for two minutes at least twice a day — in the morning and before going to bed and floss at least once a day. The use of dental floss before you brush allows you to clean and remove the loosened food bits and bacteria. A good oral care keeps teeth and gums clean and eliminates the bacteria that cause periodontal disease.
  • Regular dental visits. See your dentist regularly for cleanings, usually every 6 to 12 months. If you have risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing periodontitis — such as dryness of the mouth, taking certain medications, or smoking, you may also need a professional cleaning more often.

Diagnosis

To know if you have gum disease and how severe it is, your dentist may:

  • Review of your medical history to identify all factors that could be linked to your symptoms. Examples include smoking or taking certain medications that cause dry mouth.
  • Examine your mouth to look for plaque and tartar build-up and verification of easy bleeding.
  • Measure the depth of the pockets are between the gums and teeth by placing a ruler is called a probe between the teeth and gums. Pockets was measured at several locations in the top and bottom of the gums. In a healthy mouth, the pocket depth is usually between 1 and 3 millimeters (mm). Pockets deeper than 4 mm may indicate periodontitis. Pockets of more than 5 mm can't be cleaned well with routine care.
  • Take dental x-rays to check for bone loss in the areas where your dentist sees pockets.

Your dentist can assign a stage and a grade of periodontitis based on the severity of the disease, the complexity of the treatment, their risk factors and their health. Then, a treatment plan is made.

Treatment

The treatment can be done by a dentist or periodontist. A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in gum disease. A dental hygienist can work with your dentist or periodontist as part of your treatment plan. The goal of treatment is to thoroughly clean the pockets around the teeth and prevent the damage to the tissues of the gums and bone. You have the best chance for successful treatment when you have a daily routine of good oral care, manage health conditions that can affect the dental health and to stop using tobacco.

The non-surgical treatments

If periodontitis is not advanced, the treatment may include the less-invasive procedures, including:

  • Scaling. Scaling removes tartar and bacteria from the surfaces of the teeth and below the gum line. You can make use of the instruments, a laser or an ultrasonic device.
  • The root planing. Root planing smooths the surface of the root. This helps to prevent further accumulation of plaque and bacteria. It also helps that their gums are bonded to the teeth again.
  • Antibiotics. Topical or oral antibiotics can help control the bacterial infection. Topical antibiotics may include antibiotics, oral rinses, or put gel that contains both an antibiotic in gum pockets. Sometimes, oral antibiotics are necessary to obtain the bacteria that cause infections.

Surgical treatments

If you have advanced periodontitis, you may need a dental surgery, such as:

  • Flap surgery, also known as pocket reduction surgery. Your periodontist cuts in your gums carefully lift the tissue. This exposes the roots of the teeth for more effective scaling and root planing. Because the disease often causes bone loss, the underlying bone can be reformed before the gum tissue is sutured in place. After healing, it is more easy to clean the areas around the teeth and maintain healthy gum tissue.
  • Soft tissue grafts. When you lose the tissue of the gum, the gum line is low, exposing some of your tooth roots. You may need to have some of the damaged tissue reinforced. This is usually done by removing a small amount of tissue from the roof of the mouth or the use of tissue from another donor source and attach it to the affected site. This can help to further reduce the loss of gum disease, cover exposed roots, and give your teeth a better look.
  • The bone graft. This procedure is performed when the disease destroys the bone that surrounds the root of the tooth. The graft can be made from small fragments of your own bone, or the bone may be made of artificial material or donated. The bone graft helps to prevent the loss of the teeth by holding your teeth in place. It also serves as a platform for the regeneration of natural bone.
  • Guided tissue regeneration. This allows the regeneration of bone that was destroyed by the bacteria. In a approach, your dentist places a special type of tissue between the bone and the tooth. The material which prevents the unwanted tissue growth in the area of healing, allowing the bones to grow back in its place.
  • Tissue-stimulating proteins. Another approach is to apply a special gel to a sick tooth's root. This gel contains the same proteins that are found in the development of the enamel of the teeth and stimulates the healthy growth of bones and tissues.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Try these steps to reduce or prevent periodontitis:

  • Brush your teeth twice a day or, even better, after every meal or snack.
  • The use of a soft toothbrush and replace it at least every three months.
  • Consider the use of an electric toothbrush, which may be more effective in the removal of plaque and tartar.
  • Floss every day. If it is difficult to use standard dental floss, try a floss holder. Other options include interdental brushes, water flossers or interdental cleaning aids designed to clean between the teeth. Talk with your dentist or dental hygienist about what might work best for you.
  • The use of a mouth rinse to help reduce plaque between the teeth, if it is recommended by your dentist.
  • Get regular professional dental cleanings on a schedule recommended by your dentist.
  • Not smoking or chewing tobacco.

Preparing for your appointment

You can start by seeing your general dentist. Depending on the severity of the periodontitis is, your dentist may refer you to a specialist in the treatment of periodontal disease is called a periodontist.

Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

Before your appointment, make a list of:

  • The symptoms you are experiencing, including any that do not seem to be related to the reason for your appointment.
  • Key personal information, such as any medical conditions you may have.
  • All the medicines you take, including otc medicines, vitamins, herbs, or other supplements, and dosage.
  • Questions to ask your dentist.

Questions to ask your dentist may include:

  • What is likely causing my symptoms?
  • What kind of evidence, if any, do I need to do?
  • What is the best plan of action?
  • Does my dental insurance cover the treatment you are recommending?
  • What are other options for the approach that you're suggesting?
  • Are there any restrictions that I need to follow?
  • What steps can I take at home to keep your gums and teeth healthy?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material I can have?
  • What sites do you recommend?

Feel free to ask questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your dentist

Your dentist may ask questions such as:

  • When did you first start having symptoms?
  • Do you have symptoms all the time or come and go?
  • How often do you brush your teeth?
  • Do you use dental floss? What's the frequency?
  • How often do you see a dentist?
  • What medical conditions do you have?
  • What medications do you take?
  • Does the use of tobacco products?

The preparation for the questions they will help you make the most of your time with the dentist.

Symptoms and treatment of Periodontitis