How Long can you keep your Teeth with Periodontal Disease: Comprehensive Note
Definition of periodontal disease
It refer to the gum disease that affects the tissue surrounding the teeth roots, It is chronic inflammatory condition. It involved gums, outer tooth root, alveolar bone and periodontal ligament. This disease basically starts with accumulation of the bacteria around tooth roots. This lead to the formation of plaque, Regular dental hygienic practices are very necessary to remove these bacteria. If they are not removed they lead to periodontal diseases.
Periodontal disease is the late stage of gingivitis, basically these are formation of the gap between the gums and the teeth. It involves the formation of the pocket between gums and teeth. It is very important to understand that periodontal diseases not only affect the dental health of the person but it also impacts the systemic health of the person.
Importance of Dental Health
Dental health is of great importance, because the health of your teeth and the gums greatly affect the quality of your life. If you were blessed with healthy teeth, they will make easier for you to chew the food that will help in maximum digestion. The overall health of the person depends upon the digestion in oral cavity. Additionally, It plays important role in speech and facial expressions. Healthy teeth increases the confidence and the self esteem of the person.
Causes of periodontal disease
There are several factors that can cause periodontal disease, some of them are discussed below.
Bacterial plaque and inflammation
Bacterial plaque Is a thick layer of bacteria that is formed on the surface of teeth in eventually following hard plaques. if the teeth are not properly brushed and flossed these bacteria form layer on them. This can cause inflammation in the gums called gingivitis. If the gingivitis is left untreated it leads to more severe condition called gum recession. It is a condition in which gaps are formed between the gums and the roots of the teeth. The gum leave the surface of the tooth root.
Other risk factors
There are other risk factors that can cause period until disease, some of them are listed below.
- Smoking
- drinking alcohol
- Using acidic food
- Genetics
- Poor hygienic routine
These are the factors that can cause periodontal disease. Some oh people have genetic makeup that is more prone to periodontal disease, as compared to the other people who have better genetic makeup. Hygienic conditions are very important to keep your teeth healthy, if your hygienic routine is very poor it can lead to different diseases of oral cavity like periodontal disease. Smoking is another factor that increases the chances of getting periodontal disease. It decreases the blood flow towards the gums, this makes them weaker. It affects the immune system of the person, that is one of the Major cause of many diseases.
Stages of periodontal diseases
There are several stages that leads to periodontal disease, The first stage of periodontal disease is gingivitis. It is a condition in which inflammation occurs in the gums. Redness, pain and soreness is observed in the gingivitis.
If the gingivitis is left untreated it leads to the second condition known as periodontitis. It is a condition in which the deep pockets are formed between the tooth roots and the gums. It can lead to the bone loss and mobility in the tooth root. Scaling and root planning are used to treat periodontitis, if it becomes chronic, flap surgery is used as treatment.
Effect of Periodontal Disease on Teeth
There are several effects of periodontal disease on teeth health some of them are discussed below.
Gum recession and pocket formation
The first one the most primary factor that is caused by periodontal disease is gum recession and pocket formation. As the disease become older, the gums start leaving the tooth surface forming gaps between the tooth roots and the gums. Bacteria start accumulating in these gaps, this became a favorable place for them. These gaps become deeper as case became older.
Gum recession not only affect the physical appearance of the person, but it also causes increase in sensitivity that cause discomfort and pain for the patient.
Bone loss
Periodontal disease can also cause bone loss around teeth. Bacterial accumulation causes inflammation in the gums. Which will activate the immune response of the body, as the disease become older it will lead to destruction of teeth around its corners. This will cause instability of the teeth and mobility in the teeth base.
In severe cases, this mobility can lead to tooth loss. It is very important to treat this condition as soon as possible, before the tooth is lost permanently.
Movement in tooth and sensitivity
Movement in the tooth and increased sensitivity is also observed in the patient facing periodontal disease. As the base of tooth is weaken this will lead to mobility in the tooth. This mobility in the teeth will impact the chewing ability and speaking confidence of the patient.
In addition to mobility, this will also cause increase in the sensitivity of the tooth. Drinking anything cold or hot can cause discomfort for the patient. It is very important to treat this before it became too severe.
Treatment options
Scaling and root plaining
Scaling is a non surgical procedure that is used by the dentist to clean the plaques the plaques that are formed on the surface of teeth. Specialized tools are used to remove these plaques and to promote tooth health.
Root plaining involves the smoothing of the surface of root. It is used to clean bacteria from the surface, where it is left and accumulate easily. Scaling and root plaining are used to treat early stages of periodontist.
Surgical methods
There are several surgical methods that are used to treat Periodontal disease. The first method that is used to treat periodontal disease is flap surgery. In this surgery flaps of the gums are made, and the bacterial accumulation beneath the surface of gums is removed. This surgery is also used to reduce the depth of the pockets and make healing procedure easier.
The other surgical method to treat the periodontal disease is bone grafting. It is used in the later stages when bone loss occur, bone graft material is placed in the area from where the bone is lost. This surgical process is used to encourage the bone growth, help in making stabilized teeth and reduction in mobility.