Periodontitis is the most common form of gum disease that can damage the soft tissue around the teeth and destroy the bones that support teeth. It is a severe gum infection that can cause teeth to loosen or even lead to teeth loss. Periodontitis is usually the result of poor oral hygiene and is highly preventable and treatable. Simple dental hygiene habits like brushing your teeth twice a day, regular flossing, and monthly dentist visits can reduce your chances of developing periodontitis.
Some common symptoms of periodontitis include:
- Swollen, tender, and bleeding gums
- Plaque and tartar build-up on the teeth
- A pink tint in the toothbrush after brushing
- Spitting blood while brushing or flossing
- Foul taste in the mouth and bad breath
- Bright red, dark red, or purple hue in gums
- Pus between the teeth gums and gums
- Loosening of the teeth or complete loss of tooth pain when chewing
- The appearance of new spaces between teeth
- Changes in the shape of that the teeth bite during the bite
What causes periodontitis:
- Bacteria in the mouth multiply and form a substance called dental plaque.
- If you do not brush off the plaque, bacteria will deposit minerals in the plaque over time. This mineral deposit is called tartar, and it promotes the growth of bacteria to the root of the tooth.
- Your body's immune response to the growth of this bacteria can cause inflammation of the gums.
- Over time, the connection between gums and roots break, and periodontal pockets form between them.
- Harmful bacteria multiply and release toxins that can damage gums, teeth, and bone structure.
Factors that increase the risk of developing periodontitis:
- Poor oral hygiene- not brushing and flossing your teeth properly.
- Gingivitis can increase your risk of periodontitis.
- Smoking or consumption of tobacco.
- Hormonal changes, especially related to pregnancy or menopause.
- Inadequate nutrition such as vitamin C deficiency.
- Diseases like diabetes, Crohn's disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Recreational drug use, like vaping or smoking marijuana.
Luckily, periodontitis is highly preventable and treatable. Periodontitis treatment cost varies from dentist to dentist, but it is essential to choose the right one for you. Shield yourself from gum infections through the following periodontitis treatments:
Scaling - Scaling is the process of thoroughly cleaning your teeth to avoid any gum disease. An inlay primarily removes stains that cannot be removed by brushing. It eliminates trapped food and pests that contain millions of bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum problems. Local anesthesia is used to relieve the patient's pain before treatment.
Periodontal Surgery - The primary goal of periodontal surgery is to improve the lifespan of tooth and gum tissue while controlling the factors that cause periodontal infections. This procedure also helps remove gum pockets, reducing contact between the gum tissue and the tooth surface.
Gummy smile- The gum smile refers to a smile that shows more gums and becomes less attractive. The most widely used treatment for this problem is laser treatment. In some complicated cases, periodontists recommend surgical contouring or repositioning of the lips.
Dental Implant- The dental implant is a surgical component attached to the jaw or skull to support dentures such as crowns, bridges, dentures, and facial restorations or act as orthodontic anchors. In this process, the dental implants replace the missing roots, which help maintain the integrity of the facial structure and protect the structure of the adjacent teeth. Dental implants involve placing the "root" of a titanium implant in the jaw. Dental implants prevent resorption of the jaw bone and maintain facial integrity.
Gum Transplantation- Gum transplantation is a process of rebuilding soft tissue to cover teeth. The patient can obtain a more beautiful smile from this process, and the teeth are not easy to deteriorate. The formation of gum pockets is the result of gum infection and loss of soft tooth tissue. The gum grafting process is to rebuild the soft tissue to cover the root of the tooth. The main goal of this process is to make your smile more attractive and make the teeth less susceptible to tooth decay.
When to seek treatment?
If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above of periodontitis, consult your dentist as soon as possible. The sooner you seek care, the better your chances of preventing and treating periodontitis damage. Please schedule an appointment with us to start your dental hygiene journey now!
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