Treatment of gingivitis and periodontitis

What causes gingivitis and periodontitis? What is the difference between the two disorders?

The causes of gingivitis and periodontitis are fundamentally bacterial. There are more than 500 species of bacteria in the oral flora and a small percentage of these is capable of causing quite aggressive gum diseases.

In some cases of periodontitis there is also a genetic component. In addition there are some aggravating factors such as tobacco use and stress .

The difference between both diseases is based on the tissues affected by the disorder. In gingivitis, only the gingiva is damaged, while in periodontitis (commonly known as pyorrhea ) the bone that supports the roots of the teeth is also affected.

Can they be prevented?

Gingivitis is a problem that can be reversed with treatment. To ensure and ensure absolute control of the periodontal condition is essential to maintain good oral hygiene and make two visits to the periodontist per year.

In the case of periodontitis, prevention is more complicated, since in some cases it is impossible to prevent it from appearing. What is important in any case is to make an early diagnosis , since once the disease begins to develop it is irreversible and the objective of the treatment is to stabilize and stop the loss of bone.

What symptoms do they cause?

The symptoms of these diseases often go unnoticed. In any case, we must be alert to bleeding gums , the appearance of gaps between teeth, swelling and gingival redness and even tooth mobility or halitosis .

How can they be treated?

Since we are talking about an infectious disease , the treatment consists of disinfecting the mouth. First of all, the depth of the bacteria (which detach the gums from the teeth) is measured and the necessary sessions are programmed to eliminate them with a treatment called raspado and root planing.. Subsequently, it is checked whether the gums adhere again to the root of the teeth. If not, we perform a microsurgery with the objective of sealing them so that the bacteria do not re-enter.

Is the periodontal disease cured or can it reappear?

Periodontal disease is a chronic disorder that occurs in outbreaks. We can stabilize it completely but for this we need to do periodic reviews.