Periodontics

Periodontics is concerned with disease in the gums and bone that support the teeth.

Periodontal disease is divided into two large groups: gingivitis, which includes all diseases that affect the soft dental tissue which protect the teeth, that is, the gums; and periodontitis, which is the disease that affects the bone that supports the teeth and other tissue, such as the periodontal ligament or cementum.

As is the case in most diseases which affect our oral health, periodontal diseases are caused by bacteria that live in our mouths and which are deposited in the teeth and gums. The uncontrolled growth of these colonies of bacteria can cause problems and lesions in the dental tissue.

Symptoms of periodontal disease

The main and most frequent symptom of periodontal disease is the reddening of the gums and bleeding when brushing the teeth. Other symptoms are associated with these diseases, such as bad breath or bad taste in the mouth, sensitivity in the teeth from temperature changes, shifting of certain teeth and the modification of the shape of the teeth, tending to be longer.

It’s important to treat this disease, because even with a simple gingivitis the patient can progressively lose all their teeth. It’s a gradual process that starts with the loss of supportive dental tissue, heightened sensitivity and problems with chewing.

The loss of teeth, or edentulism, causes many problems: from issues with chewing to phonetic issues and then causing aesthetic and even psychological problems.

Treating periodontal disease

Depending on the severity of the periodontal disease certain treatments are recommended.

1. Gingivitis: the treatment involves undergoing cleanings at the dental clinic with the proper equipment and scraping the tartar. Moreover, it’s recommended that the patient continues their oral hygiene routine at home: brushing techniques will be advised and corrected, along with the use of dental floss. Antimicrobial substances might also be used.

2. Periodontitis: the treatment is started with a deep cleaning at the dental clinic, carrying out the corresponding scrapings as well as maintaining dental hygiene from home with proper brushing, using dental floss on a daily basis or interdental brushes and the correction of certain factors that favour the accumulation of bacteria and which worsen the disease.

If none of this works, appropriate surgical treatments may be taken into consideration, to put a stop to the disease and to improve the aesthetic of the patient’s smile, in the case of any aesthetic issues.

To achieve the desired result, it is best to follow a programme to prevent the return of the disease. Maintenance is the only way to gain control of periodontitis in the long term.