Periodontal disease is an oral disease caused by plaque and tartar formed after mineralization. It can not only damage periodontal tissue, causing teeth to loosen and shift, and even lead to tooth loss, but also affect overall health. The following is a popular science content about the hazards and treatment methods of periodontal disease.
1、 What are the hazards of periodontal disease?
Destruction of periodontal tissue: Periodontal disease can cause symptoms such as gum bleeding, widened gaps between teeth, gum recession, and loose teeth. If left untreated for a long time, periodontal tissue will be greatly damaged, and in severe cases, teeth may fall out.
Causing tooth sensitivity: Periodontal disease can increase tooth sensitivity, and slight stimulation can cause pain, including temperature and other physical stimuli.
Impact on chewing function of teeth: Periodontal disease causes teeth to loosen or fall out, affecting chewing function and preventing normal chewing of food, thereby affecting the absorption of food nutrients.
Impact on general health: periodontal disease not only affects oral health, but also aggravates systemic diseases such as diabetes, and increases the incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Periodontal disease pathogens may also cause respiratory diseases such as pneumonia in older age.
2、 How to treat periodontal disease?
Basic treatment: This includes oral hygiene education, filling cavities, oral scaling, dental pulp treatment, bite adjustment, removal of poor restorations, local medication and other auxiliary treatment methods. Cleanliness and scaling, commonly known as teeth cleaning, remove tartar and granulation tissue from the tooth surface by thoroughly cleaning the teeth. The effect of local medication is usually good, such as the use of chlorhexidine solution, tetracycline sustained-release gel, nitroimidazole antibiotics and other drugs to control the number of dental plaque and anti-inflammatory.
Periodontal system treatment: When periodontitis develops to a certain stage and basic treatment alone is difficult to achieve good results, timely and appropriate surgical treatment is needed to save the affected teeth. Surgical treatment methods include subgingival scaling, root planing, periodontal flap surgery, gingivectomy, periodontal splint fixation, etc. These surgeries aim to maintain the health of periodontal tissue, prolong the lifespan of the affected teeth in the oral cavity, maintain the integrity of the dental arch, and promote overall health.
Restoration treatment and loose tooth fixation: For loose teeth that can be preserved, it is necessary to perform loose tooth fixation surgery to restore periodontal tissue function.
Other treatments: Specific treatments may be necessary for certain situations. For example, for patients with gum hyperplasia that affects aesthetics, cosmetic gingival resection surgery can be performed to reshape the gum shape and restore the cosmetic effect. In addition, if the patient's root condition is slightly poor and direct repair cannot be completed, periodontal surgery may be necessary to extend the crown.
3、 Daily protection against periodontal disease
Adhere to the correct brushing method: brush your teeth at least twice a day, with each brushing session lasting no less than three minutes. When brushing teeth, make sure the toothbrush forms a 45 degree angle with the surface of the teeth to better remove food residue and plaque in the gaps between the teeth. At the same time, use soft bristled toothbrushes and fluoride toothpaste to reduce irritation to teeth and gums.
Using dental floss and mouthwash: Dental floss can effectively remove food residue and plaque in the gaps between teeth that are difficult for toothbrushes to reach. Mouthwash can further kill bacteria in the mouth and maintain oral hygiene. It is recommended to use dental floss at least once a day and rinse with mouthwash after meals.
Regular teeth cleaning: Regularly going to a professional dental clinic for teeth cleaning can thoroughly remove plaque and tartar on the surface of teeth, which are the main pathogenic factors of periodontal disease. It is generally recommended to have teeth washed every six months to one year.
Adjust dietary habits: The diet should be light and easily digestible, with more fresh vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. These foods are rich in vitamins and fiber, which can help maintain oral health. Meanwhile, avoid excessive consumption of high sugar, high-fat, and acidic foods to prevent damage to teeth and gums.
Massage the gums: Regularly massaging the gums with the index finger and thumb can promote blood circulation in the gums and enhance the resistance of gum tissue. When massaging, the intensity should be moderate to avoid damaging the gums.
Regular oral examination: It is recommended to have an oral examination at least once a year to detect and treat periodontal disease in a timely manner. Oral examination includes checking the health status of teeth, gums, oral mucosa, and evaluating the bite relationship and the condition of restorations.
Summary: The treatment of periodontal disease requires patients to actively cooperate with the doctor's treatment plan and maintain good lifestyle habits. At the same time, regular oral examinations to promptly detect and treat periodontal problems are important measures for preventing periodontal disease.