Periodontitis Treatment

How Does Periodontitis Develop?

Usually, periodontitis develops due to poor oral care. Regularly brushing and flossing your teeth removes plaque buildup and food debris. Problems arise when plaque is allowed to build up.

Below is a more detailed overview of how periodontitis develops.

1. Plaque Formation
   Plaque is a sticky biofilm continually forming over your teeth and gums. Dental plaque contains bacteria, and some of these are harmful, such as bacteria that cause periodontitis. Although brushing and flossing your teeth regularly removes dental plaque, it soon returns, which is why good oral care is so important.
2. Tartar Formation
   When plaque remains on teeth, it hardens into tartar or calculus in just a few days. You cannot brush or floss away tartar, as it can only be removed during a professional dental cleaning. Just like plaque, tartar also contains bacteria. The longer tartar remains in contact with your teeth and gums, the greater the damage.
3. Gingivitis Develops
   Gingivitis is the mildest form of periodontal disease, where your gums become irritated and slightly swollen around your teeth. Initial symptoms include gums that bleed when you brush or floss, but sometimes, this sign isn’t present, especially if you smoke. Unfortunately, without prompt treatment, periodontitis can develop.
   If you come and see us promptly, we can reverse your gingivitis by cleaning your teeth professionally and recommending a better oral care routine.
   When it comes to gingivitis vs periodontitis, there is no comparison, as periodontitis is much more serious.
4. Periodontitis Develops
   Without treatment for gingivitis, the inflammation and infection spread to the bone surrounding your teeth and the periodontal ligaments that hold teeth in their sockets. Your gums will start to recede, creating deep pockets called periodontal pockets.
   These pockets are the ideal environment for bacteria to thrive, allowing the disinfection to reach deeper into your gums and jawbone. Eventually, you may lose teeth.
   By this stage, you may have pain when you bite or chew or will notice your teeth feel loose. Your gums are likely to bleed frequently.

What to Do If You Think You Have Periodontitis

If you suspect you may have periodontitis, schedule an appointment to come and see us as soon as you can.

Preparing for Your Appointment

Before your appointment, make a list of medications and other information, such as medical conditions. These could affect the treatment we prescribe. It’s also important to list any other medicines you take, including supplements.

Note any symptoms you’ve experienced, and write down any questions you wish to ask us during your appointment.

Diagnosing Periodontitis

At Broadway Mall Dental, we can diagnose gum periodontitis by examining your mouth and reviewing your medical history in case anything could increase the risk of gum disease. We take detailed measurements of the pockets between your gums and teeth. These measurements enable us to assess the depth of the infection and recommend suitable treatment.

Treating Gum Disease

We can treat gum disease in several ways, including nonsurgical and surgical procedures.

Nonsurgical Treatments

If you have mild periodontitis, treatment may include deep cleaning your gums and prescribing topical or oral antibiotics to help control the bacterial infection.

Surgical Treatments

Surgical treatments can include gum and bone grafting and treatment to reduce the size of periodontal pockets.

Periodontitis Cannot Be Cured, But We Can Control It

Because periodontitis is chronic, we cannot cure it completely. We will provide you with an ongoing treatment plan that will likely include regular dental cleanings to help maintain gum health.

We will also discuss looking after your teeth and gums at home. Our dental team can work with you to ensure you know how to brush and floss your teeth thoroughly. We can show you newer techniques and different tools to make these tasks easier.

Strategies to help you maintain good gum health include:

• Brushing your teeth twice a day or ideally after every meal.
• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and replace it regularly, at least every three months.
• An electric toothbrush can be more effective at removing plaque and tartar and is easier for anyone with dexterity issues.
• Floss daily or use another appropriate tool like a water flosser or interdental cleaners every day. Brushing twice a day is not enough to clean between your teeth.
• Use antimicrobial mouthwash to help reduce dental plaque.
• Visit us regularly for professional dental cleanings.
• Quit using tobacco or smoking.

Periodontitis is a serious condition, but we can help you manage it with the right approach, hopefully preventing tooth loss and allowing you to gain better dental health.

After treatment, following our advice closely will help you avoid a recurrence of this disease.

Are You Worried You Have Periodontitis?

If you are concerned about your gum health and it has been a while since your last checkup, contact us and schedule your appointment today. We can gently examine your gums and provide suitable dental care if needed.