Blog – O’Fallon, MO

Periodontitis is a severe gum infection that destroys your jawbone. Sometimes severe stages of periodontitis lead to tooth loss, followed by other health complications. You can’t cure periodontitis completely, but you can control it with proper treatment options. Periodontitis starts as a bacterial infection by soft tissue inflammation around your teeth. Once left untreated, it results in bone erosion and leads to tooth loss. Explore the causes of periodontitis and know how to manage this condition’s effects. 

What Causes Periodontitis? 

The primary cause of periodontitis is when bacteria in the mouth tend to infect tissues surrounding the tooth. It eventually causes gum inflammation around the tooth leading to periodontal disease. Sometimes thorough brushing or flossing does not help remove bacteria and debris from the mouth. The accumulation of bacteria leads to plaque and tartar formation, which causes periodontal disease. Foods like sticky candies and sugary foods cause plaque accumulation the most, followed by soda and coffee. They get stuck in your mouth and produce acid and toxins, which also causes bad breath largely. 

<H3> Symptoms Of Periodontitis 

• Bleeding and tender gums 
• Consistent bad breath 
• Experiencing pain while chewing food 
• Your biting pattern gets affected because of swollen gums.

Can Periodontitis Be Cured?

Periodontitis is an advanced gum disease that cannot be cured entirely. Thus, it’s essential not to ignore the early signs of gum disease, which might lead to fatal consequences. In most severe cases, advanced periodontitis leads to tooth loss, which can be reversed if you detect the signs early. You must frequently visit your dentist for comprehensive dental exams and cleanings. You also need to understand that periodontal disease is not a life-threatening condition. Sometimes you might require treatment from varied dental professionals to understand the possible treatment options. The progression rate of periodontal disease is slow but steady. For instance, plaque takes over four days to reach its maximum extent. With this, you will be able to see the signs of gingivitis physically. However, in this situation, the only way to eliminate periodontal disease is to eliminate the infection with tooth extraction. 

 Periodontitis treatments Options 

A periodontist typically performs treatment for periodontitis. The primary goal of periodontists is to clean the pockets around teeth that help in preventing damage to the surrounding bone. It helps in preventing damage to the surrounding bone. Your dentist will ask you to maintain a daily oral care routine where they will thoroughly clean the pockets around your teeth. The following treatment options are available for periodontitis:

• Scaling and root planing are the most common treatment options for periodontal disease. Scaling helps remove bacteria and tartar from your tooth surfaces beneath your gums. With the help of an ultrasonic device and laser, the scaling process becomes successful.
• Root planing is involved with removing bacterial byproducts that are responsible for gum inflammation. It helps in delaying the healing of the gum to the tooth surfaces. 
• Apart from scaling and root planing, antibiotics also play an essential role in treating periodontitis. It helps in controlling bacterial infection. Some notable topical antibiotics include antibiotic mouth rinses and gels applied in between teeth and gums after deep cleaning. 

Periodontitis Maintenance Tips

• Since periodontitis can’t be cured, it can be maintained. There are specific maintenance tips that you need to follow to control the effects of advanced gum disease. They are as follows:
• Brushing twice a day is essential, especially after every meal or snack. 
• Try to use a soft toothbrush and replace them every three months. 
• Daily flossing is crucial for maintaining your oral health. It helps in removing plaque below the gum line that might erode the tooth enamel and eventually develop tartar. 

The Bottom Line 

Ignoring the early signs of gum disease leads to advanced periodontitis. It takes away all the possibilities of treating the condition for a complete cure. Don’t be worried; you can still manage the effects of periodontitis with the right treatment. If you experience any early signs of gum disease, schedule an appointment with your dentist and visit them for expert guidance. One slight ignorance can lead to a big blunder- Don’t let that happen; get yourself treated by the best dental professionals and secure your oral health.