Periodontitis – the second most common oral condition

Periodontitis is the second most common oral disease, right after tooth decay. It is estimated that as many as 70% of Polish women and men suffer from it. Periodontitis is an inflammation of the complex of tissues that surround and support the teeth, such as the gums, root cementum, alveolar bone, and periodontal ligament. Periodontal tissues include inflammatory conditions that progress slowly and long-term or suddenly and in a short period of time.

SYMPTOMS OF PERIODONTITIS

• Unpleasant breath odor
• Redness of the gums, often accompanied by swelling
• Exposure of tooth roots
• General tooth sensitivity
• Sensitivity to hot or cold foods
• Gum bleeding – spontaneous bleeding or during brushing
• Increase in periodontal pockets
• Tooth mobility
• Shifting of teeth
• Filling of gum pockets with pus (advanced periodontitis).

Any bleeding or increase in gum pockets should be a signal for an immediate visit to the dentist. Ignoring such problems can even lead to tooth loss.

HOW TO TREAT PERIODONTITIS?

Treatment depends on the stage of the disease. If a patient notices initial symptoms of periodontitis, sufficient treatment would be professional teeth cleaning, including removal of dental plaque and protection of exposed tooth roots. Advanced periodontitis requires more comprehensive actions. In such cases, a periodontist may refer the patient to another specialist for surgical intervention. Treatment for advanced periodontitis involves not only removing dental plaque but also removing diseased teeth and replacing them. Very advanced periodontitis may also require gum surgery. It aims to prevent excessive exposure of tooth surfaces.

However, it’s important to remember that treatment won’t have long-term effects if the patient doesn’t maintain proper oral hygiene.

HOW TO PREVENT PERIODONTITIS?

The main cause of periodontitis is improper oral hygiene. Proper instruction on oral hygiene is the best response to preventing periodontitis. To prevent periodontitis, you should:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day,
• Clean the spaces between your teeth using dental floss or an oral irrigator,
• Professionally clean your teeth at least once a year,
• Visit the dentist if you notice any cavities or experience pain in the oral cavity,
• Rinse your mouth after every meal using an appropriate specialized mouthwash.

If periodontal inflammation has been a problem in your family, you can use periodontitis toothpaste preventively.