Why do we get periodontitis? What are the treatments?

Periodontitis is a common oral disease caused by inflammation of the periodontal tissues. If left untreated, periodontitis may lead to loose teeth, gum disease, and even tooth loss. This article will introduce the causes, symptoms, and treatments of periodontitis to help readers understand and prevent the disease.

1. Causes of periodontitis

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease caused by bacteria in the mouth. The mouth is home to a large number of bacteria, both harmful and beneficial. The health of your gums is crucial to preventing periodontitis. Periodontitis occurs when oral bacteria invade the gum tissue and cause inflammation. The key to preventing periodontitis is good oral hygiene, including brushing, flossing, and regular dental cleanings. Regular dental checkups can also detect and treat periodontitis early to prevent the disease from progressing and complications.

During the process of bacterial invasion and growth, the gum tissue around the teeth will gradually loosen and separate from the teeth. If not treated in time, the bacteria will even directly enter the alveolar bone under the gums and cause serious problems such as loose teeth. The common causes of periodontitis can usually be summarized into the following five aspects:

1. Poor oral hygiene. Poor oral hygiene may lead to periodontitis, which has a serious impact on teeth and gums. Long-term neglect of oral hygiene will lead to the accumulation of dental plaque and tartar, aggravating gingivitis. Establishing good oral hygiene habits, including regular brushing, flossing and mouthwash, can effectively prevent the occurrence of periodontitis and maintain oral health.

2. Tooth loss. Tooth loss can cause adjacent teeth to tilt and shift, affecting chewing function and oral appearance. In addition, without the support of teeth, the gums and jaws are easily absorbed and atrophied, reducing the stability of the oral cavity. It is recommended to repair them in time, such as dental implants, porcelain teeth, dentures, etc., to maintain oral health and normal life.

3. Eating habits. Good eating habits are essential for oral health. Eating less high-sugar and high-fat foods and more fresh fruits and vegetables can help prevent periodontitis. Brushing and flossing teeth regularly are also important measures to maintain oral hygiene.

4. Oral structural abnormalities. Oral structural abnormalities include crowded teeth, malocclusion, and other problems, which can easily lead to the retention of food residues, increase the chance of bacterial growth, and thus induce periodontitis. Regular medical consultation and orthodontic treatment, as well as maintaining good oral hygiene habits, are important ways to prevent oral structural abnormalities from causing periodontitis.

5. Diseases and medications. Some diseases and medications can affect oral health. For example, diabetes can easily lead to periodontitis, and long-term use of certain medications can cause dry mouth, swollen gums and other problems. Therefore, people with chronic diseases or who are taking long-term medications need to actively control their conditions under the guidance of a doctor, pay extra attention to oral care, have regular oral examinations, and adjust medication regimens according to doctor's orders to help maintain oral health.

2. Symptoms of periodontitis

Mild symptoms of periodontitis may not even be noticeable. However, as the inflammation worsens, more sensory changes or discomfort may occur at the site of inflammation. Specific symptoms include:

1. Red and swollen gums.

2. Bleeding gums, especially when eating, brushing teeth, etc.

3. Bad breath or abnormal taste.

4. Teeth become loose or even fall out.

5. Teeth are easily sensitive to cold and hot temperatures.

6. Pain and distension in the periodontal area and discomfort when chewing.

In the early stages of periodontitis, the only symptom you may feel is red or easily bleeding gums. However, if these symptoms occur, you should seek medical attention and treatment as soon as possible to prevent the periodontitis from getting worse and leading to irreversible loss of periodontal tissue.

3. Treatment of periodontitis

Early treatment is the key to preventing the progression of periodontitis. Let’s learn how to treat periodontitis.

1. Oral hygiene. Good oral hygiene habits can effectively inhibit the growth of periodontitis bacteria and promote gum healing. It is recommended to brush your teeth more than 2 times a day, rinse your mouth, change your dental floss, use disinfected mouthwash and other cleaning work. If you have bad breath or abnormal taste, you should consult a doctor for diagnosis.

2. Deep cleaning. If periodontitis progresses seriously and oral hygiene measures cannot improve it, you should go to a regular dental clinic for deep cleaning in time. Deep cleaning can remove tartar, bacteria on the gums and bacteria in the gum soft tissue to restore the health of the periodontal tissue.

3. Surgical treatment. For patients with severe gum recession and loose teeth, surgical treatment may be required. Common surgical methods include gum plastic surgery, bone grafting, and pulp grafting.

4. Periodontitis medication. When oral hygiene habits and deep cleaning cannot improve, doctors may prescribe periodontitis medications for treatment. Such medications include oral prescription medications, oral rinses, topical patches, etc. However, patients should note that these medications are only auxiliary treatments and should be used according to the doctor's instructions.

In short, periodontitis is a common oral disease that consumes healthy oral cavity. You should pay close attention to oral hygiene and seek treatment as soon as possible to prevent the inflammation from getting worse. If you have any questions in this regard, it is recommended that you seek medical treatment and receive regular treatment in time so as to be cured as soon as possible. (Zhang Jie, Lingshou County People's Hospital, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province)