What is periodontitis?
Periodontitis is a destructive gum disease that also affects the musculoskeletal system of the tooth. It is also colloquially called periodontitis. It affects about 30% of people around and over 30 years of age.
What are the causes of periodontitis?
The most common cause is a chronic bacterial infection that causes inflammation of soft tissues. There are hundreds of different types of bacteria in everyone's oral cavity, many of which are beneficial. However, when the conditions are favorable for the growth of bacteria that cause periodontitis, their numbers rapidly increase.
Poor cleaning and the accumulation of dental plaque on the surface of the teeth are manifestations of these favorable conditions. It gradually transforms into tartar, often found between the tooth and the gum. This becomes a prerequisite for the occurrence of gingivitis, the first symptom of periodontitis.
Smoking is one of the risk factors that, when combined with poor oral hygiene, significantly increases the risk of developing periodontitis. Gum disease may also be genetically transmitted.
Symptoms of periodontitis
Periodontitis is easily recognized. The first symptoms are gum redness and bad breath. There is also bleeding while brushing, which is the clearest indication that we need to take action right away. The texture of the gums changes, small but visible dents appear in the skin, and the skin appears taut and shiny.
Periodontitis is also associated with severe pain caused by inflammation of the gums. It is sometimes confused with toothache, but it is stronger and prolonged at a later stage of the disease, and it is also difficult to control with medication. The easiest way to avoid complications is to get a diagnosis as soon as possible.
What complications can occur with gum diseases?
In the first phase of the disease, only the gums are affected. However, a timely and adequate solution is required when the bone is damaged. The dentists at Kavident Dental Clinic will recommend the best solution because the loss of a tooth is only one step away.
When there is a withdrawal of the gums and exposure of the bone, the tooth begins to shake, which is a prerequisite for its loss. The bone damage is irreversible and can only be repaired with the bone grafting procedure, also available at Kavident Dental Clinic.
Other symptoms are sensitivity of the gums and their withdrawal from the tooth. When periodontitis is in an advanced stage, the so-called pockets under the gums are formed. They require intervention from our dentist to be removed.
Periodontitis treatment stages
There is a special section in dentistry called periodontology, which studies the diseases of the dental apparatus. Periodontitis affects the entire maxillofacial region, so specialists in the field must be well-versed in more than just teeth and gums.
Phases of periodontitis treatment
It is important to establish the microbiological status to confirm the form of periodontitis. The sample is taken from the pockets and examined in a laboratory. The dentists at Kavident may also decide to perform microbiological examinations.
Several specific steps are taken if acute periodontitis is confirmed as a diagnosis. The bacterial deposits are cleaned from the surface of the roots, and the pockets are also cleaned. If necessary, the dentist will remove sick tissue from the pockets.
Disinfection, sterilization, and biostimulation with a laser are the next steps to ensure the condition's improvement almost immediately. In the most severe cases of periodontitis, when the bone is severely damaged, surgical intervention is inevitable.
Effect of treatment of periodontitis
The prevailing opinion is that periodontitis is an incurable disease. However, when the preconditions for its development are eliminated by our dental specialist at Kavident, the symptoms will disappear. Sometimes this effect is not achieved immediately, but it takes several months.
The earlier you visit the dental office and the sooner treatment is carried out, the less time it will take for a complete cure. There is no guarantee that periodontitis will not reappear if you do not maintain oral hygiene. Therefore, hygiene and prevention are your best allies in the fight against gum disease.
Prevention against gum disease
The prevention of periodontitis is much easier than its treatment because it all comes down to good oral hygiene. Therefore, it is really important to carefully and regularly clean your teeth at home, and visit our dentist at Kavident, who will professionally remove accumulated plaque and tartar.
This must be done at least once a year to get the desired effect. The Airflow technology used at Kavident is suitable for patients with periodontitis. It allows for the precise cleaning of plaque and the polishing of teeth using a special dust and the latest generation water jet.
The dentist will also advise you on what special precautions to take to prevent the recurrence of periodontitis. This could include using specialized oral hygiene products, flossing, and an electric toothbrush.
