What is Periodontitis?
Periodontitis is an advanced type of gum disease; a condition where your gums have become infected and the bone supporting your teeth is lost. These are key signs of problems with oral health and can be an indicator of issues with how you have been cleaning your teeth and gums.
You should be aware of the signs and symptoms of periodontal disease and the best ways to avoid it. If it is ignored, periodontitis can result in the infections spreading to the rest of your mouth and becomes generalized periodontitis.
Gum Disease Symptoms
So, what are the signs of gum infection to look out for? If you’ve experienced swollen or sore gums or seen blood on your toothbrush, these are likely to be linked to the early stages of gum disease, often referred to as gingivitis.
You may also see blood along the gums if you’re flossing for the first time in a while. If this lasts for more than a short time and is accompanied by symptoms including a loose tooth, painful gums, or bad breath, it is likely to be linked to periodontitis.
If left untreated, these early signs of gingivitis may develop into advanced periodontitis which can involve damage to the alveolar bone, which supports the teeth and tooth loss.
What causes gum disease?
The main cause of gum disease is plaque. A high level of plaque around your teeth may lead to inflammation of your gums. Gingivitis is an early form of gum disease and if left untreated, can develop into periodontitis.
However, plaque is not the only cause, and female hormonal changes related to pregnancy or menopause have also been found to be causes of periodontal disease.
Saliva contains nutrients and is the body’s natural buffer to protect your teeth and gums. A lack of saliva can cause gum pain. Some medications may reduce saliva production. This can make swallowing food difficult and painful.
Before considering secondary causes of gum disease, ensure you brush your teeth and floss every day, as these are your mouth’s first lines of defence against the causes of sore gums.
Diabetes and periodontal disease
If you also happen to suffer from diabetes, you are at a higher risk of developing gum disease.
The higher blood sugar level in diabetics means a higher level of sugar in your saliva which can damage your teeth and lead to periodontitis symptoms. Fluoride solutions may also help diabetics to reduce their risk of tooth decay.
Periodontal disease and heart health
Alongside its relationship with diabetes, studies have found that gum disease is associated with an increased risk of developing heart disease. Gum disease increases the risk of bacterial infection in the blood stream which can affect the heart.
So, reducing your risk of periodontal disease can have positive effects on your whole-body health.
How to Prevent Gum Disease
Gum disease prevention is all about stopping dental problems in their tracks before they develop. We’ll run you through the most effective preventative measures that you can take with Oral-B products.
Flossing
To make sure you avoid sore gums you need to ensure bacteria from food debris don’t remain lodged in your gums and teeth. Flossing once a day is a great way to do this and be sure to wash your hands before grabbing your floss and to use a correct technique.
Regularbrushing
You should ensure you are always brushing properly at least twice a day for between two and three minutes with a toothpaste that contains fluoride.
Use Mouthwash
Finally, using an antibacterial rinse is a great habit to get into after brushing to clear out plaque that may be missed from hard-to-reach areas and fight against gum infection.
Maintenance
If you happen to have gone beyond the signs and symptoms of gum disease, you may be wondering what periodontitis treatment looks like. For one thing, electric toothbrushes, toothpastes, and mouthwashes are formulated to fight plaque and tartar. Flossing, regular brushing, and mouthwash are preventative treatments for gum disease, but in more serious cases, you may require some deep cleaning of your teeth by a dental professional.
Scaling and Root Planing
Two common treatments for periodontitis you may receive from a dentist or dental hygienist are Scaling and Root Planing or commonly called deep cleaning. Scaling is a gum treatment that involves the removal of plaque and tartar from both above and below the gums. Root Planing is a form of deep cleaning that uses dental instruments to tackle rough spots on the tooth roots, removing tartar and bacteria and helping the gums to repair.
Gum Surgery
If your gum infection and inflammation symptoms aren’t solved by deep cleaning and preventative techniques, dentists may recommend a flap surgery. This involves an incision of the gum to expose the tooth roots and remove tartar from pockets that have been created around your teeth. Once this is done the pockets are closed with stitches to prevent loose and sore gums.
Visiting your dental professional at least twice a year and using the right oral care products will help you maintain good oral health, reduce your risk of gum disease and the need for gum surgery later on.
How to Treat Gum Disease at Home
Treating gum pain in its early stages can simply be a matter of following some soothing home remedy treatments.
Saltwater Rinse
Try rinsing the mouth with saltwater for relief from swollen gums. Add 1 tsp of salt to a warm water mix, swish and gargle it in the mouth before spitting.
This can help control bacteria in the mouth and partially remove it from the gums.
Warm or cold compress
Try taking a cloth soaked in warm water and applying it to part of your face, in the area where you feel the gum pain.
Alternatively, another way to treat gum disease at home is to take a cloth cooled with an ice pack and apply it to swollen or inflamed areas. You may also wish to alternate between a hot and cold compress.
You should visit your dental professional if your signs and symptoms persist.
Sources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/periodontitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354473
