All about periodontal disease
Periodontics
Periodontics is that segment of dentistry that deals with gum health. The term periodontium itself means the entire ensemble of the tooth-supporting apparatus – the gum tissue, the blood vessels in it, the connective tissue, the alveolar bone.
Hence the name of the insidious disease that attacks them – periodontitis, more popular outside dental circles as periodontal disease.
What do we know about it?
What is periodontal disease?
The genesis of periodontal disease is extremely prosaic, but left unattended, it can have serious consequences for the patient. Generally speaking, it is an inflammatory process in the subungual tissue that begins as a result of bacterial accumulation. These in turn are due to improper or irregular oral hygiene, especially in the hard-to-clean places – at the base of the teeth around their necks, as well as in the harder-to-reach places around the molars and wisdom teeth.
The insidiousness of the infection is that it can progress long before the first symptoms appear. Therefore, it is extremely important for patients to be aware of them and seek assistance from an experienced periodontist from the moment they appear. Periodontal disease is preventable and treatable. However, the rule “The earlier the better” also applies here.
Otherwise, the infection continues to quietly attack the tissues and leads to the formation of so-called. periodontal gingival pockets at the base of the teeth. A “vicious circle” is created because dirt and bacteria get deeper into these shaped pockets, making cleaning even easier and more difficult. This gradually leads to “melting” of the bone that supports the teeth. The crowns recede visibly, the necks of the teeth are exposed, and in the final stage, their shaking and loss can occur.
Causes and Treatment
Causes of periodontal disease
We have already mentioned that the main cause of periodontal disease is poor or improper oral hygiene. Thorough brushing at least twice a day with a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss and mouthwash prevents the build-up of the fine bacterial biofilm that forms from the combination of natural flora in the mouth and food and drink debris. Left uncleaned, this biofilm over time becomes dental plaque and subsequently tartar – both a bacterial and mechanical irritant to the gums.
However, there are other causes that stimulate and trigger the development of periodontal disease:
- Heredity. If a relative of yours has periodontal disease, you may also be vulnerable. It is advisable to consult a specialist and take prophylactic measures.
- Orthodontic reasons. Improper alignment or crowding of the teeth makes cleaning in the relevant areas more difficult, and this – as we have already said – is a prerequisite for bacteria retention and gum infection.
Symptoms of the disease
Symptoms of periodontal disease
The most telling symptom that the gums are sick is their bleeding. Sometimes it is insignificant and manifests itself only under more serious pressure, and in more advanced cases it is profuse. Often this symptom goes “in the company” of red, swollen, painful and inflamed gums. In this case, we are still not talking about periodontal disease, but about its precursor – gingivitis. However, it should by no means be underestimated. Seek a periodontist immediately to prescribe the right treatment.
One special recommendation for smokers. Even if you don’t have any gum-related complaints, it’s a good idea to have regular check-ups of your gums. The reason is that regular use of nicotine leads to constriction of the small blood vessels, so it is possible that the earliest symptom – bleeding – may not manifest itself in you in time enough, and this may lead to a deepening of the infection.
What is the treatment?
First, the periodontist will examine you carefully to determine the condition of your gums. A mandatory part of the examination will be radiographs – both general of the upper and lower jaw, and more detailed by segments. This is important to assess which areas are most affected and where the source of the infection is.
After reporting the progress of the disease, the periodontist will recommend therapy. Most often, it consists in the appointment of a series of professional cleanings at certain intervals, and their depth depends on your condition.
In the mildest cases, cleaning is by ultrasound, which can reach subcutaneous areas inaccessible to the brush at home. There are also a number of aids – gum gel, different types of medication and even an antibiotic that your periodontist can prescribe to help the recovery process.
In more advanced cases of periodontal disease, however, surgical intervention may be necessary to deep clean the affected teeth down to the roots. Although it sounds frightening, this procedure is extremely effective and has saved many teeth that were in danger of falling out. The procedure is painless as it is done under anaesthetic. The recovery process is relatively easy, but it is still a good idea to avoid hard and irritating foods, alcohol and smoking in the first few days after surgery.
Can periodontal disease be prevented?
There was a time when periodontal disease was considered incurable. That time is long gone and forgotten, and dentistry has made a real revolution in the fight against this truly insidious disease.
More and more dental clinics and offices are paying special attention to periodontology and investing in both highly qualified specialists and a variety of modern technological options to ensure and maintain proper professional hygiene to protect patients from developing periodontal disease.
However, it is also crucial that patients take diligent care of their teeth cleanliness at home. This means not only regular cleaning with a brush, paste, thread and water. In our experience, many people care for their smiles regularly but make mistakes when it comes to proper cleaning technique. That’s why our expert periodontists are prepared with dedicated instruction on how to be most effective against bacteria at home.
Again, they will also guide you on how to choose the most appropriate oral hygiene tools – the type of toothbrush, floss for smaller interdental spaces or interdental brush for larger ones. To protect your gums, we also recommend the use of antibacterial mouthwash – it will limit the multiplication of bacteria in the oral cavity and soothe inflammation.
Treatment process
How is periodontitis treated at Medical Dent Dental Clinic?
Treatment process, requirements and questions from our patients! Be confident and relaxed during your treatment with us!
Choose the best clinic
Why Medical Dent?
Periodontics is a challenge. And Medical Dent Dental Clinic has proven that it loves challenges and knows how to tackle them. We realized long ago that this segment of dentistry would become increasingly important to our patients, and we wasted no time in preparing for it. Today, we employ periodontists with world-class qualifications, a number of awards in the field and expertise in the most advanced and effective therapies for periodontal disease.
These professionals, in combination with the equipment of the highest world standard at Medical Dent Dental Clinic, are our guarantee – we will control periodontal disease and save your smile.
Contact us quickly and easily!
We believe that each tooth is a complex organism and its different problems require different specialists.
Treatment of sore gums
