Periodontitis is one of the more common dental issues found mainly in adults. However, in recent years, this problem is also becoming more common in tweens and teens that have poor dental oral care habits.
Periodontitis is the technical name used for the advanced stages of gingivitis or gum disease. This condition develops over time. Initially, most people do not experience any pain or discomfort. Once it reaches the advanced stages is when people start to notice something is wrong with their smile. In severe cases, people do lose their teeth and have to go through rather complex oral surgeries.
How Does Gum Disease Develop?
When there is an excess amount of plaque left on the teeth, it slowly hardens and turns into tartar. It is the combination of both plaque and tartar along the gum line that causes the gums to become irritated. They can become swollen, bleed while brushing, or even have a minor soreness.
As the plaque and tartar continue to irritate the gums, the gums naturally start to recede and pull away from the structure of the teeth, exposing more of the tooth’s surface. Then plaque and tartar develop on the newly exposed surface and continue to work further and further down the tooth and under the gum.
Eventually, if left untreated, the disease progresses until the entire tooth is exposed, causing it to become loose and fall out. In addition, advanced stages of periodontitis can cause a reduction in the density of the jaw bone.
How Can Gum Disease Be Prevented?
Prevention starts at home by developing proper oral hygiene habits. You need to brush your teeth for two minutes, twice a day. You also need to floss your teeth once a day to get in between teeth and along the gum line. Your dentist may also recommend using an anti-gingivitis mouthwash product.
It is important to remember that even with proper brushing and flossing, it can be difficult to remove plaque and tartar from those “hard to reach” areas. Plus, tartar cannot be removed at home with regular brushing and flossing because it is much harder than plaque.
In order to get rid of tartar and stop it from irritating the gums requires a detailed cleaning at your dentist. This is why it is important to visit your dentist at least twice a year for regular cleanings. In addition, your dentist will spot the early signs of gum disease when it is still correctable with the right dental care plan and treatment.
Can Periodontitis Be Cured?
When it is discovered in the early stages, the effects and early damage to the gum tissue can be reversed. However, it does require a commitment on the part of the patient to stick to diligent oral care habits at home and more frequent visits to their dentist.
In later stages, the disease can only be managed to stop it from advancing. In some patients, with the right dental care treatment plan, there have been noticeable improvements, but not a full reversal of its effects.
If you haven’t seen a dentist in over a year or you notice your gums are bleeding, sore or receding from your teeth, please contact Kennedy Square Dental at (905) 789-7339 to schedule an appointment today!