What is periodontitis?
Periodontitis or periodontal disease is a chronic multifactorial inflammatory disease very common, caused by certain strains of bacteria, in the result of which the gums and deeper tissues that surround and support the teeth become inflamed and are reabsorbed.
Inflammation is the result of the body’s response to bacterial accumulations on the surfaces of the teeth and, as a result of complex mechanisms involving the mechanism of immune system response, can cause serious local damage, also had adverse effects on the general health. This pathology, if not diagnosed and treated in time, may extend deeper and deeper inside of the gums and along the roots of the teeth, giving rise to what are called periodontal pockets causing the progressive destruction of the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone . This has the effect of increasing the mobility of teeth until their loss. All this lead to dysfunction and masticatory disability, reducing the quality of life for both the aesthetic alteration that determines and the impact on systemic health and social life.
How we realise that you have periodontitis?
Periodontitis, in reality, does not cause symptoms very clear and obvious and therefore can occur and progress insidiously. It always starts with an inflammation of the gums known as gingivitis, with redness and sometimes swelling, burning sensation and bleeding during brushing. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis. With the passage of time the initial symptoms and signs may be added others:
– bad breath;
– movement (migration) of the teeth with opening of spaces and greater accumulation of food residues;
– teeth that become “longer” due to the recession of the gums;
– pain and difficulty while chewing;
– increased bleeding from the gums during brushing, chewing or even spontaneously (the classic dirty pillow of blood in the morning);
– difficulty in biting and chewing food consistent;
– increased mobility of the teeth;
– formation, sometimes, of abscesses of gums and discharge of pus.
The smoke, which is one of the most important risk factors for periodontitis may, however, have a “mask effect” on the bleeding, and minimising it by making more subtle disease progression.
To all this it is often accompanied by the presence of bad breath, due to the action that the plaque bacteria, during their metabolic activity, take place on the substances present in food residues that remain in the mouth in conditions of poor oral hygiene.
What to do in case of presence of the signs and symptoms of periodontal disease?
The first thing to do is to go by the dentist to promptly inform him of the situation and allow him to make a correct diagnosis and initiate appropriate therapeutic phase.
What are the consequences of non-treatment of periodontitis?
Periodontal disease is the leading cause of adult tooth loss. In fact, if the progression of the disease is not halted with the appropriate therapies, the support structures of the tooth, including the bone to which it is connected by the fibers of the periodontal ligament, it is destroyed. The teeth, then, become mobile and can be lost spontaneously or require extraction. The most advanced stage of the disease cause pain while chewing, abscess formation, migration of teeth and receding gums. Moreover, if left untreated, periodontitis can have negative effects on overall health.
Important:
Periodontal disease can be prevented and treated successfully and periodontal health, which is a goal of primary importance for the individual and for the population, can be reached thanks to the effectiveness of proven preventive and therapeutic approaches available today.
Have you got any of these symptoms? Any doubt? Come and book a free Basic Periodontal Examination at Tracey Bell Castletown!
Contact us
- traceybell.co.uk
- 07624 805 230 or 01624 613 323
- wendy AT traceybell.co.uk
- https://m.facebook.com/Tracey-Bell-Clinic-Castletown-592548254225919/
- reivent AT traceybell.co.uk
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Healthwise
EFP: European Federation of Periodontology.
SIDP: Italian society of Periodontology and Implantology.
Dr. Giovanni A. Marras
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