Gingivitis and periodontitis

Oral hygiene is the care and cleaning of the mouth, gums, tongue, and teeth to keep them healthy. Having good oral health allows for efficient chewing, promotes a good personality, and allows the body to grow appropriately for its age. Today, let’s get to know gums.

Healthy gums are pale pink in color, with a thin, knife-like edge that fits snugly against the teeth and are not swollen, red, or bruised.

Gingivitis is an inflammatory disease of the gums, causing the gums to become swollen, red, soft to the touch, and bleed easily. When other contributing factors increase, it can progress to periodontitis.

Periodontitis is a disease in which there is inflammation of the periodontal organ, gums, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone, causing loose teeth, pain, swelling, and pus.

Causes of gingivitis and periodontitis

When we don’t brush our teeth or brush our teeth improperly, plaque will accumulate around the teeth, especially around the neck of the teeth. Over time, this plaque will thicken, attract more germs, and combine with minerals in saliva to form a hard, stone-like plaque called tartar. This tartar promotes the further accumulation of plaque. These accumulated germs can release toxins. These toxins can cause periodontal inflammation, causing swelling, redness, and easy bleeding of the gums. If this condition is allowed to continue, it will lead to severe periodontal damage, bone destruction around the tooth roots, receding gums, and eventually, loose teeth.

Treatment methods

If you have gingivitis, you should get your teeth scaled along with maintaining good oral health. It is usually recommended to see a dentist for a dental checkup and a scaled tooth every 6 months.

If you have periodontitis, you should have your teeth scaled along with root planing and maintain good oral health. It is recommended to see a dentist every 3-6 months.

Periodontal Disease Treatment: Gum Disease Treatment by a Dental Specialist

Periodontal disease is one of the most common oral health problems that, if not treated promptly, can lead to tooth loss and other health problems.

This disease is caused by a bacterial infection that accumulates on the surface of the teeth and gums, causing inflammation and loss of the tissue that helps hold the teeth together.

Causes of periodontal disease

Periodontal disease is caused by the buildup of plaque, a thin layer of bacteria that builds up on the teeth. If not properly removed, plaque turns into tartar, which cannot be removed with regular brushing. Tartar causes irritation and inflammation of the gums, leading to periodontal disease.

Factors that increase your risk of developing periodontal disease include:

• Smoking
• Diabetes
• heredity
• stress
• Weakened immune system

Symptoms of periodontal disease

Symptoms of periodontal disease often begin with inflammation of the gums, which may present as:

• Swollen, red, and painful gums
• Bleeding gums while brushing teeth
• Have bad breath that doesn’t go away even after cleaning thoroughly
• Teeth start to loosen or move.
• Receding gums, gums are further apart from the teeth

How to treat periodontal disease

There are several treatments for periodontal disease, depending on the stage of the disease and the severity of the symptoms. These include:

1. Scaling and Root Planing : This is an important procedure to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth and roots, which will reduce gum inflammation and help the gums reattach to the teeth.
2. Periodontal Surgery : If periodontal disease is advanced, surgery may be necessary to remove tartar buildup in the gum pockets and reshape the gum tissue to a healthier state.
3. Use of Antibiotics : In some cases, your doctor may recommend antibiotics to control infection and reduce inflammation.
4. Laser Therapy : This is a new technology that can help eliminate bacteria and inflamed tissue quickly and precisely.

What is root planing?

Root planing is a dental procedure used to remove plaque and calculus that build up under the gums and around the tooth roots. Over time, this plaque can cause gum inflammation and lead to gingivitis and periodontitis.

Root planing steps

1. Gum Health Assessment : Your dentist will carefully examine your gums and teeth to assess the level of tartar buildup, including the depth of the gum pockets. If the tartar buildup is too deep, root planing may be necessary.
2. Deep Cleaning : Root planing begins by scraping away plaque and tartar from the tooth surface and below the gum line using a special scaling tool to remove deep-seated plaque and tartar.
3. Root Planing : After scaling, the dentist will use instruments to smooth and clean the root of the tooth, allowing the gums to better adhere to the tooth and reducing the chance of bacteria re-occurring.
4. Follow-up treatment : After root planing, your dentist will schedule a follow-up appointment to assess the condition of your gums and teeth to see if they are improving, and if necessary, repeat treatment in some cases.

Benefits of root planing

1. Reduces Gum Inflammation : Removing plaque and tartar buildup reduces gum inflammation and prevents the progression of the disease.
2. Prevent tooth loss : If gum disease is allowed to progress, it can lead to tooth loss. Root planing can help prevent the disease from becoming more severe.
3. Reduce bad breath : A buildup of plaque and bacteria under the gums can cause bad breath. Root planing can help reduce bad breath.
4. Improved gum and tooth health : After root planing, the gums are able to attach better to the tooth, making the tooth more stable and healthy.

Who should undergo root planing?

Root planing is ideal for people with gingivitis or periodontal disease where plaque and tartar build up beneath the gums, which cannot be cleaned with regular brushing or flossing. Visiting your dentist to assess your oral health is important in planning the appropriate treatment.

Post-root planing care

After treatment, keeping your teeth and gums clean is important to prevent future gum disease. Your dentist will advise you to:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
• Use dental floss every day.
• Avoid smoking, which is a risk factor that worsens gum disease.
• Get regular dental checkups and cleanings from your dentist.

Periodontal disease prevention

Maintaining good oral health is the most important factor in preventing periodontal disease. Follow these guidelines:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
• Use dental floss daily to remove plaque between your teeth.
• Visit your dentist for a dental checkup and cleaning every 6 months.
• Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.
• Eat foods that are beneficial to your oral health, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, and avoid sugary foods.

summarize

Periodontal disease is a preventable and treatable problem with proper care. Good oral health practices, regular brushing and flossing, and regular dental checkups are the best ways to prevent periodontal disease. Furthermore, if you experience any symptoms of periodontal disease, consult your dentist immediately for proper and timely treatment.

Post-scaling and root planing advice
Symptoms that may occur after scaling

Tooth sensitivity: Tooth sensitivity after scaling may occur and will disappear within a week. If your teeth are very sensitive, you may use a desensitizing toothpaste. Try to avoid whitening toothpaste during this time, as it will make your teeth more sensitive.
Loose teeth: In patients with periodontal disease, after scaling, the teeth may feel looser and the teeth will gradually become tighter the following day.