The Best Ways to Treat Periodontal Disease
Plaque And Bacteria
The mouth is the home of bacteria, among other things. Not all bacteria are dangerous, but many can harm your teeth and gums. These damaging bacteria contain the plaque area, which is a sticky, colorless layer that accumulates on your teeth.
You must have seen or felt this layer on your teeth, but did you realize that it is the leading cause of gum disease? If you don’t get rid of plaque on time, it builds up on your teeth and eventually begins to damage and irritate the gums, even causing them to bleed.
It will ultimately destroy the bone and connective tissue if plaque continues to progress even after its initial attacks. Your teeth will become loose, and in some cases, they may have to be removed.
When you encounter the initial symptoms described above, you can visit TigerSmileDental.com in Baton Rouge for dental needs for Baton Rouge residents but if you are far from this dentist you can search online for the nearest dentist that can help you with your dental care needs. The dentist will conduct oral examinations and tests to determine the strength of the teeth and the level of gum disease.
The Early Stages
Gum disease is also known as periodontal disease. Generally speaking, gum disease describes the growth of bacteria and other things that slowly damage the tissue that surrounds and supports the teeth.
This definition is apparent from the name itself as ‘periodontal’ literally means ”around the tooth.’ When plaque is left unchecked, it grows to voluminous levels and hardens into tartar or calculus within 24 hours.
Tartar is a hard substance that grips your teeth so firmly that you cannot remove it yourself. At this stage, you will have to visit your dentist to get your teeth clean.
Gingivitis
The early form of periodontal disease is known as gingivitis. Gingivitis progresses into periodontitis, although that is not always the case. The first symptoms of gingivitis are easy to notice. They include:
- Redness on the gums
- Swelling
- Bleeding
Sometimes bleeding occurs when you brush your teeth. Although this is not a clear sign of gingivitis, it does serve as an indicator of poor oral health. Your teeth will be healthy as they are permanently fixed in the sockets. Still, your gums will be irritated or slightly damaged, which results in bleeding.
Periodontitis
No bone or tissue damage occurs during gingivitis, and that is why many people neglect its treatment. But doing this helps the disease to advance into periodontitis where the inside cover of the gum and bone pull away from the teeth. Pockets are also formed between the teeth and gums.
These pockets become deposits for debris that can cause infection. Your body’s immune system repels bacteria as plaque takes root in your mouth, especially below the gum line. But as the bacterial toxins and enzymes try to resist the infection, they begin to wear down the gum bone and tissue that connects the teeth.
As this condition advances, the pockets become severe, and further damage is inflicted upon the bone and tissue. As their foundations and support wither, the teeth become loose, and the outcome is complete removal.
Once that is done, the dentist will provide treatment depending on the stage of the disease. Procedures include:
- Prescription of antibiotic/medications
- Deep cleaning – root planing and scaling
- Surgery
Personal Efforts
We have so far discussed some effective methods of treating periodontal disease. These include having proper knowledge of oral health, identifying the initial symptoms of gum disease, and seeking professional help.
However, the story does not end here. Experts recommend that oral health is a reflection of your overall physical condition. Therefore, lead a healthy lifestyle, which includes the proper diet and regular exercise to have strong and healthy teeth.
