Behind every bright smile lies a mouthful of healthy teeth and tough gums. However, periodontitis, an uninvited guest, often quietly erodes this health and casts a shadow on our smiles.
What is Periodontitis?
Periodontitis is a serious gum infection that affects the bone structure around the gums and teeth. It develops from gingivitis and can lead to loose or even tooth loss if left untreated. Periodontitis not only affects oral health, but is also closely related to systemic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Clinical manifestations of periodontitis
Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the supporting tissues around the teeth with a variety of clinical manifestations, often including the following:
1. Inflammation of the gums
Red and swollen gums: The gums become red in color and appear inflamed.
Bleeding gums: Bleeding easily when brushing or flossing, or even spontaneously bleed.
2. Periodontal pocket formation
Periodontal pocket deepening: Periodontal pocket is formed due to the destruction of the attachment between the gums and the teeth, and the depth inside the pocket increases.
Pocket discharge: Pus may appear in the periodontal pocket, with discomfort or pain.
3. Loose and displaced teeth
Loose teeth: Teeth become loose due to the destruction of the resorption and supporting tissues of the alveolar bone.
Tooth displacement: Teeth may be displaced, twisted, or gaps may increase.
4. Bad breath
Persistent bad breath: An unpleasant odor due to bacteria multiplying in the periodontal pockets.
5. Gum recession
Gum recession: The gums gradually recede, exposing the tooth roots, causing the teeth to look longer.
6. Pain and discomfort
Sore gums: The gums may experience constant or intermittent pain and discomfort.
Difficulty chewing: Difficulty chewing food due to loose or painful teeth.
7. Systemic symptoms
Systemic effects: In severe cases, periodontitis may cause a systemic inflammatory response and even increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Symptoms of periodontitis are usually gradual, with mild symptoms in the early stages, but can lead to serious oral health problems if left untreated. Therefore, timely detection and treatment of periodontitis is essential for maintaining oral health. Regular dental check-ups and good oral hygiene habits are key to preventing and managing periodontitis.
Causes of the formation of periodontitis
The main cause of periodontitis is the buildup of plaque. Dental plaque is a sticky film made up of bacteria and food debris. If left unchecked, it can harden to form tartar, which further irritates the gums and leads to inflammation. Here are some common triggers:
1. Poor oral hygiene: Incomplete brushing or irregular flossing.
2. Smoking: Smokers are more likely to develop periodontitis and have a more severe disease.
3. Genetic factors: People with a family history of periodontal disease are more likely to develop the disease.
4. Diabetes: Poor blood sugar control increases the risk of periodontal disease.
5. Hormonal changes: such as puberty, pregnancy, or menopause.
6. Certain medications, such as antidepressants, anti-epileptic drugs, etc., may affect oral health.
Periodontitis not only affects oral health, but can also cause a range of systemic diseases. For example, patients with periodontitis have a large number of bacteria in their periodontal pockets, which may enter the bloodstream through chewing, brushing, etc., forming transient bacteremia and increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. In addition, periodontitis is also closely related to the occurrence of digestive tract diseases such as chronic gastritis, gastric ulcer, and gastric cancer.
How to treat periodontitis
Non-surgical treatment
1. Oral hygiene education
Proper brushing: Teach patients proper brushing and flossing techniques to ensure effective plaque removal.
Use an antibacterial mouthwash: It is recommended to use a mouthwash that contains antibacterial ingredients to help reduce the number of bacteria in your mouth.
2. Periodontal Scaling
Supragingival cleaning: Removes plaque and tartar from the top of the gums.
Subgingival scaling: Removes plaque and tartar from the underside of the gums and flattens the root surface to reduce bacterial attachment.
3. Medication
Topical medications: Medications containing antibiotics or antimicrobials are applied directly into the periodontal pocket.
Systemic medications: In severe infections, oral antibiotics may be needed.
Surgical treatment
1. Periodontal flap surgery
Surgical debridement: Flap surgery exposes the root and alveolar bone to remove deep calculus and infected tissue.
Tissue regeneration: Bone graft materials or tissue-guiding tissue regeneration membranes are applied to promote the regeneration of new bone and periodontal tissue.
2. Gingivectomy
Gum trimming: By removing the hypertrophic gum tissue, the gum shape is improved and the periodontal pocket depth is reduced.
3. Bone regeneration
Bone grafting: Bone grafting is performed at the site of the alveolar bone defect to promote bone regeneration.
Guided tissue regeneration: New periodontal tissue growth is guided using a regenerative membrane.
Maintenance treatments
1. Regular follow-up visits
Regular cleaning: A professional periodontal cleaning should be done every 3-6 months to prevent the accumulation of plaque and tartar.
Monitor the condition: check the periodontal condition regularly to detect and treat recurrent periodontitis in time.
2. Healthy lifestyle habits
Smoking cessation: Smoking is an important risk factor for periodontitis, and quitting smoking can help improve periodontal health.
Healthy Diet: Maintaining a balanced diet with adequate intake of vitamins and minerals can help maintain oral health.
With comprehensive treatment and long-term maintenance management, most patients with periodontitis can achieve symptom control and periodontal health recovery.
How to prevent periodontitis
1. Keep your mouth clean:
Brush your teeth every morning and evening for at least two minutes at a time.
Use a fluoride toothpaste and change your toothbrush regularly (every 3 months).
Use dental floss or an interdental brush to clean the gaps between your teeth.
2. Regular Teeth Cleaning:
Professional scaling is done every six months to a year to remove tartar and plaque.
3. Eat a healthy diet:
Limit sugar intake to reduce bacterial growth.
Eat plenty of fiber-rich fruits and vegetables to boost saliva production and help clean your mouth.
4. Avoid Bad Habits:
Quit smoking, as smoking increases the risk of periodontal disease.
Control alcohol consumption, which may also affect oral health.
5. Prompt treatment:
If you notice symptoms such as bleeding gums, swelling, and bad breath, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Maintain general health:
Control chronic conditions such as diabetes, which may increase the risk of periodontitis.
Through these methods, periodontitis can be effectively prevented and oral health can be maintained.
Periodontitis is an oral disease that can be prevented and treated, but it requires us to maintain a high priority on oral health. With good oral hygiene habits and regular dental check-ups, we can stay away from periodontitis and maintain a healthy mouth of teeth and a bright smile. Remember, oral health isn't just about our teeth, it's an important part of overall health.