dental care
edental
9 September 2024
Periodontal Disease Treatment
What is Periodontitis?
Periodontitis is a gum disease that causes inflammation and infection in the tissues around your teeth. If left untreated, it might have in serious effects, including tooth loss.
How is Periodontitis Caused?
Poor oral hygiene, such as infrequent brushing and flossing, contributes to periodontitis. Plaque, bacteria accumulate and irritate the gums, eventually causing damage to the bone and connective tissue that keep teeth together.
Stages of Periodontitis
Periodontal disease evolves via four phases. It begins with minor gum inflammation and can progress to bone loss and tooth loss.
- Gingivitis: Mild gum inflammation results in red and swollen gums. It is reversible with improved oral hygiene and frequent dental exams.
- Mild Periodontitis: Bacteria penetrate the bone, forming spaces between teeth and gums. This happens as gingivitis worsens, resulting in gum recession and bone loss.
- Moderate Periodontitis: Gum and bone damage increase, and pus may develop. Symptoms may include pain and discomfort. Bacteria eventually damage the tissues that keep your teeth in place.
- Advanced Periodontitis: Severe bone and gum damage causes loose teeth, probable tooth loss, pus, infection, and persistent foul breath.
Treatment Options
The severity of the illness determines treatment for periodontitis. Common techniques include:
- Non-Surgical Treatments:
Scaling and root planing: This dental technique includes scraping away plaque and tartar, which are hard deposits that can build up on teeth and beneath the gum line.
Antibiotic therapy: Antibiotics may be used to treat underlying infections. These drugs assist in destroying the germs that cause gum disease.
- Surgical Treatments:
Flap surgery, soft tissue grafts, bone grafting, guided tissue regeneration, and tissue-stimulating proteins for advanced cases.
Conclusion
Periodontitis is a dangerous dental ailment that requires early treatment. Understanding the disease’s causes, phases, and treatment choices allows you to take efforts to avoid and manage it while still maintaining ideal oral health.