Periodontitis, what is it and how can you prevent it?

La periodontitis is a infectious and inflammatory disease which is associated with the gums that affects the soft tissues, ligaments and bones that support the teeth. Sometimes periodontitis can be very aggressive and cause tooth loss, although for that to happen there must be some factors, which are related to the accumulation of tartar on the tooth surface.

When the bone tissue that surrounds the teeth is not yet affected, it only produces a superficial inflammation of the gums, this is known as gingivitis, it is the first stage of periodontitis. If it is not corrected, it could get worse and affect the teeth. 

Reviews with the dentist.

It is advisable to recognize the first symptoms, such as redness and bleeding of the gums, whether caused by brushing or doing nothing. Currently there is a treatment that allows this to be kept at bay and not lead to something worse, such as professional oral hygiene cleaning annually or biannually, and following basic oral hygiene instructions, is usually enough to control this disorder. .

When gingivitis is not controlled and action is not taken, the disorder can evolve to periodontitis, where loss of bone tissue and support of the teeth can already be seen.

What is periodontitis?

It is also known as gum disease. It is a serious infection of the gums that damages the soft tissue, which, if not remedied, can destroy the bone that supports the teeth. This can cause teeth to loosen or be lost.

It is a very common disease and the advantage it has is that it can be largely prevented. It is usually the result of poor oral hygiene. Two brushings a day, flossing daily, and getting regular dental check-ups can greatly reduce the onset of this disease.

According to the degree of affectation, we observe several levels: 

  • Initial periodontitis.
  • Moderate
  • Advanced.
  • Necrotizing.

How is periodontitis diagnosed?

If you have any discomfort in the gums, such as bleeding, pain or suspicion that you may have either gingivitis or periodontitis, what you should do is go to a dental specialist.

  • AYes, you can take a clinical history of your oral condition, will carry out certain studies that link periodontitis with cardiovascular disorders, diabetes or premature birth.
  • Examine your mouth for tartar buildup and assess whether there is bleeding in the gums and other symptoms.
  • If necessary, dental x-rays will be performed to check if the bone mass that supports the teeth has been lost.

Periodontitis makes you lose teeth.

These are the symptoms of periodontitis

The first symptoms of periodontitis The ones we have to look at are:

  • Bleeding gums. 
  • The gums are red and swollen. 
  • Retraction of the gums.
  • Having pus on the gums.
  • Bad breath, halitosis.
  • Some mobility in the teeth. 

The best treatment for periodontitis

The specialist is the one who must perform the treatment to prevent periodontitis from developing further. The dentist, once he has evaluated the situation, will proceed to do the basic treatment through removing accumulated scale deposits and performing a thorough cleaning, under the gums and around each of the teeth.

So that this does not develop and get worse, an important prevention must be carried out, where much more hygiene must be sanitized and tobacco consumption must be avoided.

Non-surgical treatments:

  • Scaling and root planing: It is a procedure where bacterial plaque and tartar accumulated on the surface of the teeth must be removed.
  • Pharmacotherapy: here each case is assessed according to the periodontal and general health status of each patient. Mouthwashes are used, sometimes antibiotics that help control the bacterial infection.

Surgical treatments:

On the other hand, there are other types of periodontal surgeries that allow treating this periodontitis.

  • Gum recession treatment. 
  • Bone periodontal surgery. 
  • Grafts de soft tissue.
  • Grafts of woven bone.

Prevent periodontitis effectively

Periodontal treatments must be individual and require a particular follow-up for each person, since it must be adapted to each specific case depending on the type of patient. Periodic maintenance visits are essential to check the progress of the treatment and eventually eliminate new deposits of tartar and bacterial plaque.

Regular checks and cleaning should be the key to prevent periodontitis from being present in your life, so you must follow the following steps:

  • Visit your dentist frequently, whenever he tells you, at least once a year.
  • Brush teeth after each meal. 
  • Use mouthwash. 
  • Don't stop using the floss at least once a day.
  • Change of brush every three months. 
  • Avoid smoking and moderate the consumption of alcohol.

This periodontal disease appears when the tissues that support the teeth become inflamed due to the set of bacteria that exist. To prevent it, the bacterial plaque that accumulates between the teeth and gums must be eliminated, which is why daily brushing is so important, as is the use of dental floss and interproximal brush.

It is best to use soft brushes so as not to damage the gums, change the heads every three months as the effect of the brush bristles is lost.


Be the first to comment

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *

*

*

  1. Responsible for the data: Miguel Ángel Gatón
  2. Purpose of the data: Control SPAM, comment management.
  3. Legitimation: Your consent
  4. Communication of the data: The data will not be communicated to third parties except by legal obligation.
  5. Data storage: Database hosted by Occentus Networks (EU)
  6. Rights: At any time you can limit, recover and delete your information.