Prevention and treatment of periodontitis

Is it normal for the gums to bleed?

Healthy gums never bleed. If there is bleeding this will indicate that there is inflammation of the gums, which can be a sign that we suffer from gingivitis or periodontitis .

What factors can cause the appearance of gingivitis and periodontitis?

Both are infectious diseases caused by bacteria when they accumulate on the teeth. In addition there are also factors that can influence their speed of progress, such as genetic susceptibility, diabetes , smoking a lot and stress .

We could say that gingivitis is a more superficial affectation. When the disease progresses and affects the bone that holds the teeth, it becomes periodontitis.

How can we know that we have periodontitis?

Periodontitis, in its beginning and in most of its progression, is a disease that does not cause pain , so many people who suffer from it are not aware of it.. For this reason it is very important to know how to detect the symptoms and signs that may appear in its evolution.

One of its first manifestations is bleeding gums. As bone is lost and the disease progresses, the following symptoms appear: teeth that seem longer and longer (because the gum is receding) halitosis , food retention, gaps between the teeth, sometimes sensitivity to cold and in the later stages dental mobility. When we begin to be aware that some teeth move, this is indicative that " pyorrhea " is at a fairly advanced stage.

How are these disorders treated?

In addition to trying to control the factors that make periodontitis progress faster (monitor diabetes, stop smoking ...), the treatment focuses on doing away with its main cause, bacteria. These adhere to the tooth forming part of the bacterial plaque and tartar , so its elimination is basic to decontaminate the tooth surface.

Once this phase of "decontamination" is over, when the gum has already been deflated, sometimes it is necessary to make some corrections of the sequelae through aesthetic periodontal microsurgery techniques, porcelain veneers or other methods of dental esthetics .

What recommendations can we make to maintain good gum health?

To maintain the condition of the gums, it is essential to maintain good oral hygiene at home, brushing the teeth and complementing the cleaning with additional maneuvers that have indicated, such as flossing. It is also necessary to go to periodic check- ups with the dentist , since as we have commented periodontal disease is often present but we do not realize it.

If we suffer from periodontitis and have already been treated, we must follow the maintenance program that they indicate. Being a chronic problem we must keep it strictly controlled.