Radiologie
Periodontitis, or periodontal disease, is among the most serious conditions that manifest in the oral cavity. Over time, if left untreated, it can lead to the permanent loss of teeth. Statistics show that 8 out of 10 Romanians suffer from this condition.
There are many factors that contribute to the onset of the disease. Periodontitis does not cause pain, so you need to be guided by other symptoms that will alert you that it is time to take action to save your teeth and overall health.
What is periodontitis?
Periodontal disease is a chronic condition. It manifests through the deterioration of the structures that support and anchor the teeth. It is characterized by the formation of pus pockets locally, which inevitably lead to tooth loss.
It is caused by an imbalance of bacterial species present in the oral cavity. If left untreated, it can have serious consequences. Generally, most patients suffering from periodontitis do not feel its onset because it is a silent condition that does not cause pain.
Periodontal disease is well known as one of the major causes of tooth loss. Poor oral health has repercussions on the overall health of the body.
It is present in all age groups.
- 50% of adults aged over 30 years
- 70% of people over the age of 65.
As you can see, the disease predominantly occurs in adults. However, there are cases where periodontitis can also occur in children and young people. In adults, 70% of tooth loss is attributed to periodontal disease.
What are the causes of periodontal disease?
There are a multitude of reasons why periodontal disease occurs, but the main cause remains dental plaque. This accumulates on the surface of teeth or prosthetic works.
It can be kept under control only through proper oral hygiene. You can achieve this at home by brushing your teeth with a suitable toothpaste twice a day, using the technique recommended by your dentist. Of course, other auxiliary cleaning means are also important, such as dental floss or interdental brushes.
Make it a habit to have a dental check-up twice a year to detect the onset of periodontitis early and to treat it in its initial stages.
If dental plaque is not removed daily or if brushing is done superficially, it will harden and deposit above or below the gumline, turning into tartar. It is important to know that tartar cannot be removed through simple brushing.
In this case, a visit to the dentist becomes mandatory. The dentist can remove the deposits through a procedure called scaling.
In addition to poor hygiene, there are other factors that contribute to the onset of periodontal disease:
- stress
- smocking
- food
- some drugs
- genetic factors;
- some health issues
Unfortunately, periodontitis has serious consequences for the overall health of the body. Those affected have an increased risk of developing diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and other complications that can occur in pregnant women:
- preeclampsia;
- premature birth;
- low birth weight.
Periodontal disease is associated with over 50 diseases and conditions, including:
- pulmonary diseases
- osteoporosis
- chronic kidney disease
- Alzheimer;
- rheumatoid arthritis
What are the symptoms of the disease?
Periodontal disease always begins with gum involvement. This symptom is also known as gingivitis. At this stage, the disease is completely reversible.
There is no pain or discomfort, which makes this condition difficult to notice. The first signs that appear are swollen and reddish gums, as well as bleeding during daily brushing.
If you have already noticed these signs, it's time to take action and schedule an appointment with a dentist. Other symptoms you may experience include:
- bad breath
- gum recession
- exposure of dental roots
- pain during chewing
- sensitivity to hot or cold foods
- tooth migration, etc.
How can periodontal disease be treated?
Treatment should be initiated as soon as possible. This is the only way to minimize tooth loss and gum recession as much as possible over the long term.
The treatment chosen will depend on the stage of the disease. Cases of gingivitis are simple to treat and even reversible. For established periodontal disease, your dentist will choose the treatment method based on the severity of the condition. In both cases, it's important to start with removing external factors that contributed to the disease: tartar.
Therefore, present yourself promptly to the specialist dentist for a professional scaling and cleaning. Additionally, maintain proper daily oral hygiene to reduce the chances of developing periodontal disease.