Periodontal diseases – types, causes, treatment and prevention

Proven content

Periodontal diseases occur with high frequency, both among adults, children and adolescents.

Periodontal diseases – types

1. Gingivitis – characterized by:

1. residual food residues,
2. chewing problems,
3. loosening and swelling of the gums,
4. spontaneous or stimulating bleeding, such as chewing or brushing your teeth
5. itchy gums
6. burning the gums,
7. sometimes gum pain and discharge that seeps from the gingival pockets.

2. Deep periodontitis are characterized in turn by:

1. exposure of the necks of the teeth,
2. lowering gums,
3. hypersensitivity of tooth necks and exposed roots to chemical and thermal factors,
4. excessive mobility and migration of teeth,
5. formation of periodontal abscesses,
6. tooth crown elongation,
7. in extreme cases, tooth loss.

The causes of periodontal disease

The most common causes of periodontitis include:

1. Inflammatory factors, i.e. bacterial plaque. Usually, a few hours after thorough cleaning of the teeth, plaque builds up on them, especially in the area of ​​the tooth necks. This build-up of plaque can irritate the periodontal tissues. The main mass of plaque is microbes. If the plaque is not removed from the surface of the teeth, it mineralizes and becomes a substrate for tartar formation. The calculus can be supragingival and subgingival. The lingual surfaces of the anterior lower teeth and the cheek surfaces of the upper molars, located near the main salivary glands, are especially predisposed places for calculus deposition. The stone is gray, yellow or brown in color, it can be brittle and brittle, and the dentist can easily remove it from the teeth, but sometimes it sticks tightly to the teeth and is difficult to remove.
2. A traumatic bite, which results from congenital and acquired malocclusions, missing teeth and habits such as teeth grinding, finger sucking, nail biting, holding various objects between the teeth. As a result, unfavorable conditions for maintaining proper oral hygiene are created, and the chewing forces are unevenly distributed over the dental organ – hence the overload adversely affecting the periodontal tissues.
3. Biological factors, i.e. general diseases having a genetic condition, predisposing to periodontal diseases.

Periodontal diseases – treatment

Treatment of periodontal diseases is comprehensive and often long-term.

Treatment of gingivitis it must be based on a health education curriculum. The basis of treatment are hygienic procedures performed by the doctor and the patient. The first and main action is the removal of plaque by the doctor. They are removed using specially designed hand instruments or ultrasonic devices. The patient should follow all recommendations regarding the maintenance of proper oral hygiene. Rinsing the mouth with anti-inflammatory and antiseptic preparations can bring some relief, but a short-term one.

Treatment of deep periodontitis it should be comprehensive, both general and local. The aim of this treatment is to stabilize the tooth loss mechanism by acting to eliminate periodontal pockets and regenerate periodontal tissues. After pain relief and, if necessary, pharmacological treatment (mainly antibiotics), hygienic treatment, oral cavity sanitation, and bite adjustment are performed.

How to prevent periodontal disease?

The most important preventive methods include:

1. proper positioning of the baby’s head for sleeping and feeding,
2. treatment and prevention of tooth decay,
3. early treatment of malocclusion and maxillofacial abnormalities,
4. elimination of harmful habits,
5. quick prosthetic treatment in case of tooth loss,
6. compliance with the correctness and regularity of hygienic procedures,
7. reporting to a dentist every 6 months for professional removal of dental plaque,
8. following the doctor’s instructions,
9. proper chewing activity,
10. thoroughly chewing and rubbing food,
11. proper nutrition in terms of food composition,
12. chewing hard, requiring chewing foods.