What is Periodontitis?

Has the dentist in NY, diagnosed you with periodontitis? Are you worried about what the disease is and how to treat it? Let’s explore more about the disease today.

Fast facts on periodontitis

• It affects the area around the tooth, which includes gums and bones.
• Periodontitis happens when bacteria and plaque build around the tooth.
• Though good oral hygiene can help in prevention and treatment, at times, surgery may be needed.
• Gum disease can affect your overall health as well.

Symptoms

• Bright red gums
• Bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Inflamed and swollen gums
• Pain in gums
• Pus between teeth and gums
• Bleeding while brushing

Home remedies

• Brush your teeth with a soft bristled toothbrush at least twice a day. Brush for at least 2 minutes.
• Floss your teeth at least once for cleaning the gaps between the teeth.
• Use an antibacterial mouthwash after brushing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Replace the toothbrush every 3-4 months.
• Use fluoride toothpaste.

Periodontitis Vs Gingivitis

While gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease, periodontitis is the advanced stage. If the gum disease is diagnosed in the early stage, it can be reversed eliminating further complications.

Causes

One of the main reasons for gum disease is the lack of oral hygiene. When plaque accumulates on teeth, it leads to infection in gums. Bacterial toxins from plaque destroy the bone and connective tissues holding the teeth. You may also experience tooth loss explains the dentist in 11361.

Diagnosis

The dentist will diagnose periodontitis by looking at the signs and symptoms and performing a physical examination.

Treatment

• Good oral hygiene

It’s important to maintain a good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing twice a day and using an antibacterial mouthwash after every meal.

• Scaling and cleaning

It’s the deep cleaning process of scraping the plaque off the gums. It helps in preventing the infection from worsening.

• Medications

The dentist may recommend antibiotics for fighting infection along with antibiotic gels for oral application.

• Advanced periodontitis

In case of advanced periodontitis, surgery may be the only option. The surgery options include- flap surgery and bone and tissue grafts.