Periodontitis

Periodontology – treatment of gingivitis, bleeding gums, receding gums, falling teeth in Queseda, Rojales, Torrevieja near Alicante in Spain.

The development of periodontitis / periodontosis – bleeding gums, inflammation of the gums, loosening and finally tooth loss – an insidious disease, difficult to recognise at first glance.

What is Periodontitis / Periodontosis?

Periodontitis or Periodontosis ("Periodontal" derives from two Greek words meaning "around the tooth") is an inflammation of the periodontium caused by bacteria and the existence of tartar or dental calculus (hardened plaque), leading to receding gums and subsequently reduction of the jaw bone. The consequences are loosening and finally falling teeth.

Many teenagers and adults are affected by periodontitis without being aware of it. Gingivitis (gum inflammation), bleeding gums and receding gums are the first signs of periodontitis and are often not identified and treated early enough since gum problems initially do not cause pain (and people tend to think: “As long as it doesn’t hurt, no need to act” – a wrong conclusion).

Periodontal disease – how does it develop?

Bleeding gums are normally the very first sign for periodontitis. The gum turns dark red (instead of the pale pink in healthy condition).

Food particles which accumulate in the gingival pockets are forming, together with oral bacteria, biofilm called plaque. This plaque subsequently becomes tartar (dental calculus), the hardened form of plaque. The existence of tartar (dental calculus) can already lead to the first signs of gingivitis (inflammation of the gum). If not treated early enough, the gingival pockets (the “pocket” between tooth and gum) will get deeper with time. When the pockets reach a depth of 3.5 mm, dentists diagnose periodontitis. However, this condition only marks the beginning. Untreated, the tartar (dental calculus) can spread deeper down the teeth leading to receding gums and a receding jaw bone. The teeth begin to loosen. Between the front teeth a so called “black triangle gap” can appear as there is simply no gum left to cover the tooth neck. Still not treated, the loss of the teeth is most inevitable. However, long before it comes to tooth loss, disconcerting side-effects appear: the tooth neck gets very sensitive to hot and/or cold food and drinks and it will be impossible to chew harder foods (such as apples, nuts, bread, meat or raw vegetables) due to loosened teeth.

How can you raise your chances to keep healthy teeth until old age?

A correct dental care at home, together with a regular professional dental cleaning will ensure the healthiness of your teeth.

How can Periodontitis / Periodontosis be treated?

Gingivitis (gum inflammation) of the surface tissue can be treated with specific oral hygiene measures. This includes the correct cleaning of your teeth twice a day (best is the so called “modified bass technique”), the cleaning of the interdentium with dental floss (or, if indicated with an interdental brush or a mouth shower) and regular professional dental cleaning (at least twice a year, in periodontitis cases up to four times a year). Crucial to all measures is to remove the plaque. If not it will get harder and turn into tartar (dental calculus), offering bacteria a convenient environment to thrive. Old fillings and dental prostheses should be renewed – in case they are untight, they offer space for the multiplication of bacteria.

Sometimes the inflammation of the gum (gingivitis) and jaw bone has already reached a state, in which professional dental cleaning is not sufficient anymore to reverse the process. In this case, the “concrements” in the gum pockets need to be removed. (“Concrement” is a tartar or dental calculus which is even harder and darker and adheres to the dental root.) This requires special hand tools or ultra-sound devices (such as the Vector®) which can reach right down to the base of the pockets in order to remove the hardened tartar.

In our practice we use the „Vector Pro®“ (by the company Dürr Dental). This device allows a gentle periodontitis treatment: Cleaning and smoothening of the dental root surface and the removal of inflamed tissue from the gum pockets, as well as the killing of bacteria by ultrasound, without harming gum or gum pockets. Contrary to other conventional ultrasound tools, the Vector® vibrates vertically instead of sideways. This allows a deep cleaning with the polishing liquid, scrubbing the root surface very gently, without affecting the teeth mechanically. For patients, this method is a lot more comfortable than it is with conventional hand tools. Also, it avoids the risk of tooth roots becoming oversensitive – this is often the case when tartar (dental calculus) is removed by scratching it away manually.

The periodontitis treatment is carried out with a special device (Vector Pro by the company Dürr) which removes bacteria and concrements from gum pockets.

The conventional treatment of advanced periodontitis provides that the gums are being fold back in order to carry out the cleaning. The utilization of the Vector Pro in our practice enables us very often to avoid surgical measures. We treat advanced periodontitis by combining two methods:

1. by use of the Vector®
2. by use of a bacteriological test in order to define the existing germs

This allows us to choose the right antibiotics for your treatment.

However, no parodontitis treatment is like another and will be determined after a thorough individual examination.

Risks of an untreated and undiagnosed Periodontitis / Periodontosis?

Gingivitis (gum inflammation), bleeding gums, receding gums – the consequences of periodontitis – are next to caries the most widespread oral diseases which affect millions of people world-wide. Untreated, the disease nearly always leads to falling teeth (tooth loss).

Moreover, scientific studies show a definite connection between periodontitis and the risk of heart attacks as well as strokes. Also, the risk of miscarriages and premature delivery rises significantly. In people with a weakened immune system, periodontitis can promote pneumonia and other respiratory diseases

Untreated, Periodontitis / Periodontosis not only leads to tooth loss but also increases the risk for heart attacks and strokes, it can cause premature delivery and miscarriages and weakens the immune system.

Prevention is better than curing!

Correct and consequent oral hygiene as well as regular professional dental cleaning can prevent the development of gingivitis (gum inflammation), bleeding gums, receding gums and falling teeth.

Do not wait until it hurts! It might already be too late then!

Do you have any questions? Our experts will help you! Do not hesitate to contact us, we are happy to give advice. Call us on (+34) 96 671 72 36 or send us an E-Mail to dentalnettqu@gmail.com

Your dentist in Quesada, Rojales, Torrevieja near Alicante in Spain