Periodontitis: definition, symptoms, causes, treatment

Definition

What is periodontitis?

Periodontitis is a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue and bone that supports teeth. Therefore, the condition of periodontitis is also known as gum disease.

Basically, gum disease appears as a continuation of already severe gingivitis.

If left untreated, this infection can lead to tooth loss (the tooth has fallen out of the gums) or other serious health problems such as heart attack and stroke.

How common are these gum problems?

Gum disease is a common health problem and can be experienced by anyone regardless of age and gender. Poor dental hygiene is a major risk factor for this disease.

You can avoid this disease by reducing the existing risk factors. Don't hesitate to ask questions or discuss with your doctor for more information.

Types

What are the types?

Based on the severity, gum disease is divided into several types. The types of gum disease or periodontitis are:

1. Chronic gum disease

Periodontitis or chronic gum disease is among the most common in adults.

Even so, it is possible that children and adolescents can also experience it. Especially if from a young age they were not accustomed to taking care of their teeth and mouth hygiene.

Chronic gum disease is caused by plaque that is allowed to continue to build up on the surface of the teeth and gum line. Over time, this plaque then hardens and forms tartar.

If you don't clean tartar for a long time, it can damage the gum tissue and bones that support your teeth. The incidence of tooth loss (loose from the gum) is very likely to occur as a result of allowing chronic gum disease without proper treatment.

2. Necrotic gum disease

This type of gum disease is characterized by the death of the gum tissue, tooth ligaments, and bone supporting the teeth due to a lack of blood supply to the area.

The minimal blood supply causes severe infection of the gum tissue and bones that support teeth.

This condition is often experienced by people with weak immune systems, such as people with HIV / AIDS, cancer chemotherapy patients, or people who are malnourished.

3. Aggressive gum disease

Compared to other gum diseases, this type is relatively rare. This condition usually starts in childhood or adolescence.

Aggressive gum disease can cause rapid and sudden breakdown of the bone supporting the teeth.

It is not certain what causes this condition. However, experts suspect that genetic factors play an important role as the cause of this condition.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of periodontitis?

Gum disease often does not cause pain or characteristic symptoms. So, you may not even realize that you are experiencing it.

In fact, a person may experience gum disease for years without ever experiencing significant symptoms. Quoted from Mayo clinic, You need to know what normal gums look like. Healthy gums are pink and pale around the teeth.

Even so, the condition of periodontitis or gum disease is something that should not be taken lightly. There are typical signs and symptoms of the following conditions that you should be aware of:

• Gums bleed easily when you brush your teeth or chew foods with a hard texture
• Swollen gums are bright red or purplish
• Gums that are painful and tender when touched with the tongue or fingers
• The gums shrink, making the teeth appear longer than normal
• There are gaps between the teeth
• Pus discharge between the teeth and gums which causes bad breath and an unpleasant sensation in the mouth
• Persistent bad breath
• Gums and teeth hurt when chewing or biting food
• Tooth loss or loss

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

If you experience the signs and symptoms above or have any other questions, do not hesitate to consult a dentist. In principle, the sooner you go to the dentist, the better the chance of recovery. That way, you can avoid the risk of serious tooth decay.

Only a dentist can determine how badly damaged your teeth are and what treatment is right for your condition.

Cause

What causes periodontitis?

The main cause of gum disease is plaque. Plaque itself is a slippery and sticky layer on the surface of the teeth filled with bacteria.

Plaque is formed from the debris of the food you eat every day. Plaque growth will get worse if you eat sweet and carbohydrate foods and rarely brush your teeth.

Then, the plaque that continues to form and accumulate over time can harden and form tartar. Tartar is more difficult to remove and can irritate the gums, causing them to become inflamed, red, and swollen.

The longer the plaque and tartar stay on your teeth, the more damage it can cause. This chronic inflammation can cause pockets filled with plaque, tartar and bacteria to form between the gums and teeth.

Over time, these sacs will get deeper and more and more filled with bacteria.

If not treated promptly, this deep infection can cause damage to the gum tissue and bone that supports teeth. This makes your loose, deep teeth easier to fall out or fall off.

Chronic inflammation that continues to be allowed to also weaken the immune system. As a result, the body is more difficult to fight disease-causing infections.

You also find it easier to experience serious complications. Infection-causing bacteria in the gums can flow into the blood and cause inflammation throughout the body.

Risk factors

What increases my risk for periodontitis?

Various risk factors for periodontitis or gum disease that you need to be aware of are:

1. Dirty mouth and teeth

Not taking good care of your teeth is a major risk factor for developing gum disease. Remember, plaque will continue to grow from leftovers that are consumed every day.

Therefore, rarely brushing your teeth can worsen plaque, which can lead to gum disease.

2.Gingivitis (gingivitis)

If you have previously had gingivitis, then you are at high risk of developing chronic gum disease. Especially if the gingivitis that you have experienced is not treated and you do not take good care of your dental hygiene.

3. Heredity

Gum disease can also be triggered due to heredity. If your grandparents, parents, and siblings have this condition, then you are at high risk of experiencing it too.

4. Age

As you get older, you will be more susceptible to a number of health problems including gum and tooth problems.

5. Smoking

People who smoke are twice as likely to develop gum disease than those who don't smoke. The longer and more you smoke, the greater your risk of developing gum disease.

6. Lack of vitamins A, B, and C.

Vitamin A plays a role in maintaining the integrity of the epithelial cells that make up gum tissue. Vitamin A is also an antioxidant that can treat gum infections from within.

Meanwhile, vitamin B complex is one of the important vitamins that are important for oral and dental health, because this vitamin helps cell growth and blood circulation throughout the body, including the gums.

People whose intake of vitamin C is low are at a higher risk of developing gum disease. This is because vitamin C plays an important role in helping to boost the immune system against infections that cause disease.

7. Certain drugs

Although they function to treat disease, a number of drugs have side effects on oral health.

Medicines for cancer, high blood pressure, pain relievers, depression, and allergies, are known to have negative effects on oral health.

Talk to your doctor about all the drugs you are taking. The doctor will determine other drugs that are safer and in accordance with your condition.

8. Hormonal changes

Women may be more at risk for gum and mouth problems due to hormonal changes during their lifetime.

Hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy, puberty, monthly menstruation, and menopause can all affect the body's response to plaque-produced toxins.

Hormonal changes during these times can also affect blood circulation to the tissues around the gums, making them more sensitive.

9. Ill-fitting dentures

Improperly fitting or loose fitting of dentures can also increase your risk of developing gum disease. Tell your dentist immediately to correct or treat this condition.

10. Certain diseases

Another factor in the occurrence of periodontitis is the presence of certain disease conditions.

People who have a history of diabetes, rheumatism, Crohn's disease, HIV / AIDS, and leukemia are at a higher risk of developing gum disease than those who are healthy.

Drugs & Medicines

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How is this disease diagnosed?

When you begin to notice the symptoms of gum disease, consult a dentist immediately. The doctor will examine the physical symptoms of the teeth for diagnosis.

During the examination, the dentist will usually also assess the symptoms of gum disease by looking at:

• The degree of bleeding and gum swelling.
• The distance or pocket between the gum and the tooth. Healthy gums have pockets reduced by 1 to 3 millimeters (mm). A pocket deeper than 5 mm indicates periodontitis. In principle, the bigger and deeper the gum pockets, the more plaque will enter and worsen gum disease.
• Straightness level of dentition.
• Jawbone health, to help detect bone damage around the teeth.

In some cases, doctors can also check the condition of the gums with X-rays to see if there is any loss of bone supporting the teeth.

What are the treatments for periodontitis?

The dentist can recommend a number of medications to clean the pockets of the teeth and prevent damage to the bones. This includes procedures scaling, aka cleaning plaque and tartar using a special tool called ultrasonic scaler.

During the process, you may feel a sore sensation and bleeding gums. The doctor will ask you to rinse your mouth several times to help flush the blood.

The dentist may also prescribe pain medication to help relieve pain and a tingling sensation in the affected area of ​​the gum or tooth.

Antibiotics can also be prescribed to prevent further infection. When prescribed antibiotics, make sure you take them as directed by your doctor.

The indiscriminate use of antibiotics can increase the risk of antibiotic resistance. This condition makes the infection more difficult to treat because the bacteria that cause the infection are resistant to the drug.

In serious cases, surgery may be needed to repair the tissue or bone structure that supports the damaged tooth. Please consult a doctor for more information regarding gum disease treatment.

All medical procedures have side effects. However, make sure the procedure you undergo later has benefits that far outweigh the side effects.

What are some natural remedies to help with gum infection?

1. Green tea

Green tea is claimed to be able to repair tooth decay, repair gum pockets, and reduce bleeding in the gums.

Research from Japan published from Journal of Periodontology found that green tea can be a natural gum infection remedy. In this study, it was revealed that the more drinking or consuming pure green tea can help solve the problem on your gums.

2. Coconut oil and Himalayan salt

To reduce inflammation of the gums, it is recommended that you gargle or smear the sore gums with a mixture of coconut oil and Himalayan salt (himalayan salt) which is pink. Massage and rinse your mouth for 3-5 minutes, then rinse your mouth with fresh water.

Coconut oil and Himalayan salt both have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that are good for relieving pain and symptoms of an already severe infection.

3. Aloe vera

Researchers from India have studied the uses and benefits of aloe vera for oral health.

The findings suggest that applying aloe vera gel to the inflamed teeth, gums and gum pockets can benefit both gum conditions.

You can try using 100 milligrams of aloe vera gel per day and applying it to the gums to help the infection heal faster.

Home care

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be used to treat periodontitis?

1. Brush your teeth regularly

So that your gum disease does not get worse, it is important for you to practice brushing your teeth twice a day after eating.

Make sure the bristles you use are soft and have a head that is not too big. That way, the brush can reach deep into the teeth.

Consider using an electric toothbrush, as it is considered to be more effective at removing plaque and tartar. If you want to use a manual toothbrush, also make sure your brushing technique is correct.

Brush your teeth in a circular motion from top to bottom for 20 seconds on each part of the tooth.

2. Flossing teeth

Apart from brushing your teeth, you also have to be diligent flossing. Flossing is a technique of flossing your teeth.

American Dentist Association revealed that dental floss is designed to clean gaps between teeth that are hard to reach with toothbrush bristles.

However, be careful when flossing your teeth. Gently rub the thread and make sure it doesn't hit the gums.

Friction or pulling the thread that is too tight will make the gums prone to injury and bleeding.

3. Check with the dentist regularly

If plaque has turned into tartar, then diligently brushing your teeth will not be enough to clean it. You need to clean your teeth with a special procedure at the dentist.

Therefore, every adult is basically encouraged to be diligent in checking their teeth every 6 months to the dentist. Children also need to be introduced to the importance of routine check-ups to the dentist from an early age.

Regular monitoring can make it easier for your doctor to treat and treat if at any time you have a problem. Check up Routine is also effective in preventing various other oral and dental problems in the future.

Risk of complications

Disease complications that may arise due to gum infection

The most common complications are swollen, festering gums, receding gums, and the teeth fall out on their own. If allowed to continue untreated, the entry of bacteria into the tissue in the gums can invade other organs in the body. Some of the complications of gum infections that can occur are:

1.Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG)

Chronic acute ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG) is one of the earliest complications of gum infection. ANUG has a high risk of occurring in people who already have gum infections but still rarely brush their teeth and ignore a healthy lifestyle.

2. Heart disease and stroke

Periodontitis infection increases your risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or other cardiovascular disease by 3 times. Dr. Hatice Hasturk, a dentist from Forsyth Institute, revealed that this risk is caused by plaque deposits that can enter the blood vessels in the gums through the holes in the teeth.

3. Pneumonia

Quoted from the Telegraph, Dental Health Foundation reported that one of the disease complications of gum infection to watch out for is lung infection or pneumonia.

The bacteria in the gums can flow in the blood vessels and reach the lungs to infect them. When you breathe through the mouth, the bad bacteria that cause periodontitis can also be inhaled and enter the throat to the lungs.

4. Complications in pregnancy

Complications due to gum infection that can occur in pregnant women are premature birth and low birth weight (LBW). Again, this is caused by the entry of gingivitis-causing bacteria into the bloodstream until it reaches the fetus in the womb through the placenta.

5. Head and neck cancer

Bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis The cause of gingivitis is associated with the development of malignant tumor cells in the tissues around the head and neck, because the toxins it releases, including free radicals, are carcinogenic (cancer triggers).

This theory is strengthened by a study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention. Researchers found that every millimeter of loss of the jawbone due to chronic gum disease was correlated with an increased risk of head and neck cancer by more than fourfold.