Periodontology is the branch of Dentistry that deals with the prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases. The maintenance of good gum health is particularly important, not only because it is inextricably linked to the maintenance of teeth, but also because – in the opposite case – the general state of the person’s health is affected.
Gingivitis – Periodontitis
The most common gum disease is called periodontitis. It is a chronic inflammation of the gums due to the presence of microbial plaque. In the initial stage it is called gingivitis. If left untreated, it gets progressively worse. In an advanced stage, the inflammation affects not only the gums, but also the bones of the jaw, as well as the tissues that hold the teeth. This has the effect of affecting the connection of the teeth with the gums, resulting in the loss of even otherwise healthy teeth.
Both gingivitis and periodontitis have been associated with problems such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and complications during pregnancy.
Visiting the periodontist is beneficial for everyone in maintaining good oral health. It is important to know that periodontitis and gum diseases in general do not present acute symptoms (pain and swelling) and so most of the time the diagnosis is accidental and is made when the patient comes to the dental office for some other reason.
The diagnosis of the disease, from the moment it appears in the mouth, is achieved by a combination of careful clinical and radiographic examination. Until it reaches an advanced stage, periodontal disease is generally painless and shows no particular symptoms. After a careful periodontal examination with specialized tools, the existence of periodontal pockets is established.
The pocket is the pathological deepening of the gingival crevice, that is, the crevice that normally exists between the tooth and the gums. In essence, a pathological “pocket” is created, where there are microbes, food components and saliva, i.e. a pool of microbes that sustains the inflammation.
Η θεραπεία για την περιοδοντική νόσο εξαρτάται από το πόσο προχωρημένη είναι η ασθένεια. Μέχρι πρόσφατα, η περιοδοντική νόσος ήταν ανίατη. Η θεραπεία θεωρείται επιτυχής εάν η νόσος διατηρηθεί στο ίδιο επίπεδο όπως όταν ο ασθενής για πρώτη φορά επισκεφθεί τον οδοντίατρο.
Periodontitis is a disease of the periodontal tissues (gum and supporting bone of the tooth). In its initial stages, it is characterized by intense inflammation of the gums, which then spreads to the underlying bone, which it destroys (osteolysis).
The destruction of the support of the tooth results in the appearance of mobility in the tooth in question and possibly also in its adjacent ones. Mobility increases over time, depending on the severity of the periodontitis. In the final stage, the support of the tooth is completely lost, resulting in the loss of the tooth.
The infection of the area spreads, thus affecting the general health of the body.
Periodontal disease is also associated with:
- Heart diseases,
- Diabetes,
- Cerebral attacks,
- Respiratory diseases,
- Osteoporosis.
After stopping the antibiotic regimen, the pathogenic microbes soon return.
Researchers argue that there is a link between periodontitis and heart disease
Bacteria that enter through the bloodstream lead to the heart. The inflammation caused by periodontitis increases the accumulation of plaque in the body resulting in the swelling of the arteries. What is certain is that periodontitis worsens existing heart damage.
Researchers have found that patients with periodontitis are twice as likely to have coronary heart disease as those without periodontal disease.
Periodontitis is directly related to medications we take and diseases we have, such as osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus, chronic lung diseases.
Depending on the degree of tooth mobility. In any case, a clinical examination and radiographic examination by the dentist is necessary for the final assessment.
Repeated root planing of the same teeth did not yield better results than a cycle of thorough debridement and root planing.
You will need a periodontal evaluation if:
- Notice that your gums are red, swollen, bleed easily during brushing or flossing
- Notice that your gums have pulled away from your teeth or receded
- Notice bad breath, pus between teeth and gums, separation between teeth, change in the way your teeth close when you bite, irritation in your mouth that does not go away for 2 weeks
- You are thinking about the possibility of pregnancy
- There is a member of your family suffering from periodontal disease
- Suffer from heart disease, diabetes, respiratory disease or osteoporosis
- You feel like your smile is “sticky”
In general, however, with a periodic visit to your dentist, possible cases of periodontal disease are examined.
The above are symptoms of periodontal disease. Receding gums (gum recession), bad breath, bleeding gums, swollen gums, itchy gums, indicate periodontitis. There is an immediate need to visit a specialist dentist in order to treat periodontitis.
The answer is positive. Bad breath is an important cause of periodontitis. Bad breath, and consequently also bad breath, is due to poor oral hygiene, smoking, eating habits, teeth with caries, general diseases (diabetes, gastrointestinal diseases, etc.), sinusitis, tonsillitis, etc. The definitive solution to the problem of bad breath can only be given by the dentist by identifying and eliminating the cause of bad breath.
Recent research has shown that 30% of the population is genetically susceptible to periodontal disease. Despite regular oral hygiene habits, these people are 6 times more likely to develop periodontal disease
Studies have shown that smoking is probably the most important risk factor in the development and progression of periodontal disease. Smokers are much more likely to develop periodontal pockets as well as increased loss of bone and tissue that support the teeth.
Cases where implants may not be suitable or have an increased risk of failure are heavy smokers, heavy drinkers, patients with untreated periodontal disease, patients undergoing radiation therapy, patients with uncontrolled diabetes, patients who have received intravenous bisphosphonates, patients with osteoporosis (specific cases), patients with poor bone quality, patients with insufficient bone height or width, economic and psychological factor, and patients with untreated bruxism.
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