What is Periodontitis?
Periodontitis is a serious infection of the gum tissue and bones that support the teeth. Left untreated, it can cause tooth and permanent bone loss. It is most often caused by poor oral hygiene—inadequate brushing and flossing. When plaque is allowed to remain on the teeth, it hardens into tartar. The overgrowth of plaque and tartar irritates the gums, leading to a mild gum infection called gingivitis.
When gingivitis is ignored, the inflamed gums pull away from the tooth surface, creating pockets in which food can become trapped, encouraging more bacterial growth and irritation. The pockets, in turn, provide more spaces in which tartar and plaque accumulate. Without treatment, tooth and bone loss follows. The bacteria involved in periodontitis are also implicated in worsening heart disease, leading to a general worsening of health, not just a crisis of oral health.
Periodontitis Symptoms
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Red, irritated gums
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Bleeding gums
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Gum recession (pulling away)
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Bad breath
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Oozing from the gums
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Loose teeth
Periodontitis Treatment Options
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Improved oral care routine
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Scaling and cleaning
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Antibiotic therapy
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Antimicrobial rinses
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Flap surgery
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Bone grafts
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Gum grafts
Common Questions About Periodontitis:
What is pregnancy gingivitis?
Due to hormonal changes during pregnancy, women are more likely to develop red, irritated, or inflamed gums. It is important to maintain good oral health during pregnancy, especially since some studies have linked gum disease to low birth weight.
Can periodontitis be treated at home?
Gingivitis can respond to home treatment successfully. Once gum disease has progressed to periodontitis, however, professional help will be needed to completely clear the infection. Still, home care routines remain vital to the success of any treatment plan.
What happens if periodontitis is not treated?
If left untreated, the periodontitis stages will continue to progress. The infection will worsen, leading to tooth loss. If the infection spreads into the bone, bone loss or worse can occur. Although it is uncommon, a dental infection can lead to sepsis if severe and left untreated.
CariFree Products to Prevent Decay
Browse our recommended treatments and begin healing the infection, minimizing the risk factors, and balancing your oral bacteria.
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How CariFree is Different
CariFree products can help interrupt periodontitis symptoms a number of ways, preventing cavities from ever forming. The unique pH correcting formula of CariFree products helps make the oral environment unfavorable for acid-loving, caries causing bacteria. The high pH from the CariFree system also protects tooth enamel from having minerals dissolved away in acidic conditions. The products contain nano hydroxyapatite, which the teeth can use to repair missing minerals from the enamel, particularly in the high pH environment the products create. Xylitol, a natural, non-nutritive sweetener, has several dental benefits. It makes bacteria less able to stick together in a tough to remove biofilm. Caries-causing bacteria also eat the xylitol but cannot use it for energy or to reproduce. So, the bacteria starve to death while eating xylitol.
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