Periodontal disease gum disease: causes, symptoms, treatment methods

Periodontal disease gum disease - the pathology is quite rare. It occurs in 3% of the world's population. The disease is characterized by degenerative changes in periodontal tissue. There is a gum recession, the height of the alveolar process is reduced. That is, all those tissues that contribute to the retention of the tooth in the hole are affected. Inflammatory processes may be absent.

Deep damage to the posterior tissue

In the photo, gum disease periodontal disease looks frightening, especially in the last stage: the roots of the teeth are exposed and covered with hard deposits, and blood with purulent exudate seeps out of the gingival canals. Of course, such formidable changes are observed only when the disease is severely neglected. If the patient visits the dentist in time, the development of the pathological process can be stopped.

Periodontal disease is characterized by progressive atrophy of the tissues that surround the tooth and keep it in the jaw bones. The pathological process affects:

• gum;
• periodontal ligament;
• tooth root cement;
• alveolar processes.

With periodontal disease, exposure of the neck of the tooth occurs. The gum swells and changes color. Sometimes it becomes unnaturally pale or, conversely, blushes. After that, she begins to gradually recede, exposing the root. It has a yellow tint, so it is very different in color from the crown. The patient can independently detect the disease at an early stage only if the recession occurs on the front teeth. Changes will be noticeable with a smile.

A cosmetic defect is not the only problem of periodontal disease. Patient histories often suggest that patients have loose teeth and a putrid odor. Many patients have no pain at all, so they are in no hurry for help from the dentist. In some cases, tooth sensitivity increases. Pain appears when consuming acidic or cold foods. And also while brushing your teeth.

The pathological process is dangerous because starting with one tooth, it will gradually cover neighboring areas. Without treatment, the situation will gradually worsen. She threatens tooth loss. Therefore, dentists recommend conducting preventive examinations as often as possible. Such measures allow you to identify the problem in time and take steps to stop the pathological process. Maintaining a medical history of moderate and initial periodontal disease is necessary for the dentist to track the ongoing changes.

Reasons for the development of pathology

Gum disease begins to develop when the blood supply to the tissues surrounding the teeth worsens. This provokes a violation of mineral and protein metabolism. Periodontal tissues lack oxygen and nutrients, and toxins accumulate. All this leads to a slowdown in tissue regeneration. Growth retardation occurs, and the alveolar part of the jaw gradually atrophies.

The complexity of the treatment of periodontal disease gum disease is due to the fact that the reasons for its development have not yet been established. Pathology occurs even in those people who strictly monitor oral hygiene and visit the dentist on time.

Specialists believe that the following factors can provoke the development of dystrophic changes:

1. Hereditary predisposition.
2. Diabetes.
3. Atherosclerosis of blood vessels.
4. Smoking. American scientists have recently found that there is a direct link between periodontal disease and nicotine addiction. Products of tobacco burning adversely affect the blood supply to the gums and alveolar processes. The study involved more than a thousand people. Everyone who smoked about a pack a day for several years risked twice as much dental health as those who did not touch cigarettes. Moreover, even if the development of the pathology could be stopped, it began to progress again as soon as the person returned to the addiction.
5. Arterial hypertension.
6. Pathology of the pituitary gland. Dysfunction of the pituitary gland leads to numerous malfunctions in the body, which are accompanied by the development of pathological processes in the dentition. Therefore, diseases of the pituitary gland and periodontal disease are closely related.
7. Hypovitaminosis.
8. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
9. Malocclusion.
10. Alcohol abuse.
11. Neurological diseases.
12. Periodontal tissue injuries. For example, installation of orthodontic structures of inadequate quality, bruises or fractures.
13. Endocrine disruptions.

Dentists have noticed that many patients have deposits on their teeth, on which pathogenic bacteria can develop. But in the development of periodontal disease, this factor is not decisive.

The formation of pathology in young patients often occurs against the background of vegetative-vascular dystonia. And in people over fifty years old, periodontal disease most often affects those who suffer from hypertension. From this we can conclude that the pathology develops due to hypoxia, which provokes sclerosis or vasospasm.

Symptoms of the disease

Periodontal disease gum disease is characterized by the destruction of the tissues surrounding the tooth. There is a gradual exposure of the roots. At the same time, good tooth fixation is maintained for a long time.

Due to the slow development, the initial stage of the pathology goes unnoticed by the patient. This is the main danger and insidiousness of the disease. Against the background of asymptomatic development, there is a significant destruction of periodontal tissue. Therefore, it is important to examine your gums during hygiene procedures and consult your dentist if you find the following symptoms:

1. Visually noticeable tooth lengthening.
2. Blanching of the gums, but without signs of inflammation.
3. The formation of even minimal deposits.
4. The appearance of a wedge-shaped defect, enamel erosion or tooth wear.

All of these symptoms are not accompanied by bleeding gums. But as the pathology develops, the patient will begin to manifest such symptoms:

1. Sensation of itching, pain, or burning in the mucous membrane.
2. Ripple in the gums.
3. Bleeding during brushing or while eating.
4. Swelling of the gums.
5. Divergence or loosening of teeth.
6. The appearance of an unpleasant odor.

At the last stages of the pathology, the formation of a periodontal tooth occurs. His crown can be completely healthy, and most of the root will be exposed. Such a tooth will not be able to perform its function normally due to loosening. In the absence of proper treatment, inflammation can develop, which can cause sepsis.

Stages of the disease

Treatment for periodontal disease gum disease should begin as early as possible. Only in this case can we expect a significant slowdown or shutdown of the process. It is impossible to completely restore the original condition of the gums.

Pathology usually begins with inflammation of the mucous membrane of the alveolar process. In the lumen between the teeth, basophilic friable masses accumulate, which consist of single epithelial cells and colonies of microbes. There is a sensation of itching in the gums, they begin to swell. The area around the neck of the tooth becomes more sensitive. Eating solid foods can cause bleeding. All these changes relate to the initial stage of the pathology.

Depending on the condition of the periodontium, the following stages are distinguished:

1. First one. There is slight tooth mobility, the appearance of a stone and exposure of the necks. The gums are swollen. The dentition is not broken yet.
2. The second one. The roots of the teeth are exposed more. This leads to the formation of a gingival pocket, which can be filled with blood or purulent exudate. The mucosa sometimes has a bluish tint. The mobility of the teeth in the lateral direction is enhanced. On the x-ray, you can see that the bone tissue of the root is shortened.
3. The third. The roots are bare half their length. Their open part is covered with solid deposits. Increased tooth mobility and the size of the gingival pocket.
4. Fourth. Complete atrophy of the bone support is observed. You can rotate the tooth in any direction, it is fixed only by soft tissue.

The dentist must accurately establish the stage of the pathology in order to determine how to treat periodontal disease. A common solution for all patients does not exist. Treatment depends on both the stage of the disease and the condition of the patient and the specifics of the complications. To achieve the best result, a whole range of measures is needed. These may include antibiotic therapy, vitamins or hormones, orthopedic or physiotherapeutic care.

Dental procedures

Before starting treatment, the dentist must study the medical history. Periodontal disease of moderate severity cannot be completely cured. But, thanks to modern technologies, it is possible to partially restore the gum and slow down the process.

Standard therapy includes several stages:

1. Initial visual inspection and check of tooth mobility.
2. X-ray
3. General blood analysis.
4. A smear of mucus from the oral cavity.
5. Probing of the gingival sulcus.
6. Checking the patency of blood vessels.
7. Remediation of the oral cavity. This includes: treatment of caries, filling of wedge-shaped defects, elimination of acute angles and stone removal.
8. Treatment of common diseases that could cause periodontal disease.
9. Physiotherapeutic gum procedures. For example, darsonvalization and electrophoresis. As well as massage. All of these procedures can improve the blood supply to the gums and saturate them with nutrients. Thanks to this, tissue regeneration is improved and the process of their destruction is stopped.
10. Laser treatment.
11. Splinting. This technique is aimed at reducing the mobility of teeth that are loose on the gums. Fixed splinting is used in the initial stages of periodontal disease. To install the structure, it is necessary that all the teeth in the row are preserved. Most often, the fiberglass thread is the material for splinting. It evenly distributes the load between all the teeth, does not injure them and does not affect the appearance. The procedure itself is painless and takes no more than an hour. Removable splinting is used in more advanced cases of periodontal disease, when the teeth begin to fall out. According to individual measurements of the patient, a prosthesis is made. He will fix the remaining teeth and close the gaps.
12. Gingival grafts transplant. Surgery corrects the appearance of the dentition. Unfortunately, she is not able to solve the problem of tissue damage.

In the late stage of the disease, most of the teeth lose their teeth. As well as bone atrophy. In addition, there is bad breath, malocclusion is observed. At this stage, the methods listed above cannot help the patient. The only way out is to install implants.

Drug treatment

After the dentist has performed all the necessary manipulations, the patient will be recommended medication for gum disease. Treatment of periodontal disease with folk remedies, which many patients prefer, will be effective only in combination with drugs. The patient may be prescribed immunomodulators, injections into the gums, vitamin complexes, as well as antibiotics or hormones.

In the treatment of periodontal disease, these drugs are best recommended:

1. "Tsiprolet A". The drug effectively eliminates infections of the oral cavity.
2. "Erythromycin." It is prescribed if purulent exudate is found in the gum pockets. The discharge begins to decrease already on the second day of therapy.
3. Clindamycin. Most often, the drug is prescribed for periodontal abscess.
4. Levosin. Heated ointment to a temperature of 36 degrees is injected into the purulent cavity.
5. "Olazol". The composition of the aerosol sea buckthorn oil and other substances that relieve inflammation and have an analgesic effect.

Gum injections are one of the most effective treatments for periodontal disease. Before and after photos taken by patients confirm the effectiveness of this procedure. Medicinal substances administered in this way immediately enter the damaged tissue.

For injection, the following drugs are used:

1. Aloe extract.
2. "Traumeel."
3. Vitamin C.
4. Biogenic stimulants.
5. "Ribonuclease."
6. "Lidase."
7. "Methyluracil."

Traditional medicine recipes

Alternative medicine is able to help the patient only at the initial stage of gum disease. Treatment of periodontal disease with folk remedies is best combined with all the recommendations that a dentist gives. Improve the blood supply and nutrition of the gums, such methods help:

1. Garlic. The clove must be cut into two parts. Slice massage, rubbing juice into the gums.
2. Mix sea salt and honey in equal proportions. Transfer the mixture to cheesecloth and apply it to the gums. The duration of the procedure should be at least 40 minutes.
3. Aloe leaf cut into two parts. Apply the pulp to the gums for 30 minutes.
4. Grind 400 g of horseradish root, pour it with a liter of boiled water. Insist the mixture for eight hours, strain. Use mouthwash.
5. A pinch of calamus powder is added daily to toothpaste during brushing.

Toothpastes against periodontal disease

Many patients at the dentist's office are interested in how to treat periodontal disease at home quickly and effectively. Unfortunately, it is impossible to defeat this pathology on your own. But therapeutic and prophylactic toothpastes help relieve unpleasant symptoms and improve the condition of the gums. If you use them at least twice a day, you can notice significant improvements.

The best toothpastes include:

1. "Splash Biocalcium." Eliminates sensitivity with wedge-shaped defects. In addition, it strengthens tooth enamel and improves the condition of the gums.
2. "Lacalut Fluoride." Regular use improves gum health. Sensitivity to acidic and cold is significantly reduced.
3. President Active Clinical. Eliminates bleeding and gum sensitivity. Included in the composition of triclosan has an anti-inflammatory effect.
4. "Apartment". The paste contains trace elements that prevent tooth decay. Eliminates plaque and enamel microcracks. It has a filling effect on the exposed neck.
5. Asepta Sensitive. The paste is suitable for sensitive teeth and the prevention of gum disease.

The benefits of remineralization

Remineralization of teeth in the initial stage of periodontal disease can significantly slow down the course of the disease. The sooner the patient notices the beginning of the formation of a wedge-shaped defect and takes action, the better. Remineralization is the saturation of tooth enamel with phosphorus and calcium, which restore its structure.

Several years ago, only a dentist could perform such a procedure. Now the situation has changed. The patient can save time by performing the necessary manipulations at home. This requires the purchase of remineralizing gel for teeth. It must be applied twice a day, after brushing your teeth. Drinking and eating food for an hour after application is prohibited.

One of the best drugs on the market is ROCS gel. It eliminates wedge-shaped defects, enamel erosion, relieves tooth sensitivity and restores the normal microflora of the oral cavity. The gel is completely safe when swallowed. It can be prescribed to infants and pregnant women. ROCS remineralizing gel is an effective tool in the initial stage of gum disease, periodontal disease. Photos of patients' teeth taken before and after using this tool confirm that small wedge-shaped defects are completely eliminated. And also the enamel becomes noticeably lighter.

Prevention

The exact causes of gum disease periodontal disease, science can not name so far. Therefore, it is impossible to completely eliminate the risk of developing this pathology. But it can be significantly reduced if you follow some simple rules:

1. Carefully monitor oral hygiene and visit the dentist on time.
2. Daily, after brushing your teeth, it is recommended to massage the gums.
3. Quit smoking.
4. Eat rationally. Make sure that the body receives all the necessary vitamins and minerals. Limit sweets.
5. Take courses of vitamin complexes.

Follow the health of the teeth not only for the sake of a snow-white smile, but also the health of the body as a whole.