Periodontitis: Causes, Symptoms, & Remedies

What is Periodontitis?

Periodontitis, also commonly referred to as Periodontal Disease, is a bacterial infection caused by plaque and tartar build-up on the teeth and gums, and the main reason why you may experience receding gums.

How Common Is Periodontitis?

Periodontitis is very common, with an estimate that 50% of the population over 30 will deal with it at some level according to the CDC.

Who Does Periodontitis Affect?

Periodontitis affects a wide variety of people, as lifestyle, genetic, and whole-body health factors can affect the chances that your gingivitis will become full-blown periodontitis. The elderly, pregnant women, and people with underlying diseases like diabetes, heart disease, or lung disease are more likely to see their gum disease progress.

What Causes Periodontitis?

Periodontitis begins with plaque, the sticky substance that naturally builds up on  the teeth. Plaque can harden to tartar, and this buildup can cause the gums to pull away from the tooth surface, creating a pocket where bacterial plaque can grow.

Periodontitis Symptoms

With vigilance and regular care, you can recognize the symptoms of periodontitis and treat it before it becomes a major problem that threatens your entire oral health.

• Red, puffy gums
• Sensitive or bleeding gums
• Bad breath
• Loose teeth or pus coming from the gums (this is a symptom of severe, progressing periodontal disease)

What Are the Stages of Periodontitis?

Periodontitis develops over time and responds well to treatment in its early stages. With vigilance and regular care, you can recognize the symptoms of periodontitis and treat it before it becomes a major problem that threatens your entire oral health.

Inflammation (Gingivitis)

Gingivitis, which looks like redness, irritation, and swelling of the gums, is the earliest stage of periodontal disease.

Mild Periodontitis

Mild periodontal disease may look like bleeding, swollen gums and chronic bad breath caused by the bacterial infection taking place.

Moderate Periodontitis

Moderate periodontitis often presents as new spaces between the teeth or receding gums, in addition to the symptoms mentioned above.

Advanced Periodontitis

Advanced periodontitis will include symptoms such as loose teeth or pus coming from the gums, showing very severe stages of the bacterial infection.

How You Can Prevent Periodontitis

To prevent or address any early symptoms of periodontal disease, it’s important to brush your teeth at least twice daily with a soft bristled toothbrush, taking care to brush gently along the gum line.

Floss daily and take care to clean between the teeth.

Be sure to keep up your cleaning schedule with your dentist as well; it is doubly important to see your dentist while fighting a gum infection.

How Can You Treat Periodontitis?

Because periodontitis is a bacterial infection, treating it involves treating the bacteria. Plaque is home to an overgrown bacterial biofilm. Having plaque accumulation at the gum line aggravates the gum tissue, so the first treatment steps involve removing and preventing plaque accumulation.

The first step, alongside proper home care, is to visit your dentist for regular cleanings and a treatment plan.

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