You can treat periodontitis on your own by reducing the number of bacteria in your mouth. This is by keeping your gums and teeth clean. There are procedures on how to use your dental floss and toothbrushes properly. Sometimes some dental hygiene products like mouthwash and water prick may also be recommended.
For example, patients with conditions that affect the efficiency of the immune system, such as diabetes, HIV, Down syndrome, leukemia, etc., can make periodontal disease worse. Those who smoke, use tobacco products, are malnourished, and/or are highly stressed are also at an increased risk.
Periodontitis (per-e-o-don-TIE-tis), also called gum disease, is a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue around teeth. Without treatment, periodontitis can destroy the bone that supports your teeth. This can cause teeth to loosen or lead to tooth loss. Periodontitis is common but can usually be prevented.
If you have periodontitis, your teeth start moving in the mouth, making tooth loss a reality. However, if you receive gum disease treatment early, you can preserve your natural teeth and prevent the need to search for replacement options.
Foods such as pickled vegetables, citrus fruits, black coffee, and tea can enhance inflammation, aggravate your condition, and slow down the effects of treatment.
Drinking water keeps your body's tissues healthy and hydrated–including gum tissue. Healthy gum tissue helps prevent infection. Drinking water washes away the bacteria that cause gingivitis. It improves saliva production, which helps fight gum disease by washing away harmful bacteria.
At home, brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily will go a long way in preventing plaque buildup. Advanced gum disease, also called periodontal disease, cannot be reversed. However, our dentists are able to mitigate the damaging effects of periodontal disease through scaling and root planing.
Saltwater rinses help with treating gum disease but are not capable of fixing the problem by themselves. You require help from a professional periodontist and maintain good oral hygiene habits if you intend to get over periodontal disease.
But the condition may get even worse if left untreated. They may experience receding gums, loosening teeth, or tooth loss when it progresses into severe periodontal disease. If you wonder if you can live with this disease, the answer is yes.
Take To Heal? If you have the first stage of gum disease, gingivitis, you can usually expect to heal and recover within 14 days of getting a deep cleaning, assuming you take your prescribed antibiotics and maintain proper oral hygiene by brushing and flossing thoroughly.
The simple answer is, no. If your gums are damaged by, for example periodontitis, the most severe form of gum disease, it's not possible for receding gums to grow back. However, even though receding gums can't be reversed there are treatments that can help to stop the problem from getting worse.
Many patients with periodontal disease or missing teeth will experience bone loss in their jaw as a result. In general, the process is gradual and you may not immediately notice that your jawbone is atrophying. The most effective way to diagnose tissue loss in your jaw is to visit your dentist.
Stage 4 of periodontal disease is the point of no return. At this point, even scaling and root planning won't be enough to treat your teeth. A dentist will probably recommend surgery or laser therapy to clean out the gums' deep bacteria deposits. The worse your periodontitis gets, the more it's going to cost you.
Professional Care for Treating Periodontitis
If left untreated, periodontitis can lead to tooth loss. While there is no cure for periodontitis, professional care by a dentist or dental hygienist can help to control the infection and prevent further damage to the teeth and gums.
It's never too late to seek treatment for gum disease, and the degree of treatment you require will depend on how advanced it is.
Periodontal disease and tooth decay are the two biggest threats to dental health. A recent CDC report1 provides the following data related to prevalence of periodontitis in the U.S.: 47.2% of adults aged 30 years and older have some form of periodontal disease.
Removing teeth is only suggested when there aren't any other options to rehabilitate them, such as when treating advanced periodontal (gum) disease. The preventable infection can be resolved in the early stages to avoid tooth loss.
The key to managing and living with periodontal disease is to ensure your teeth are kept clean and reduce gum irritation. Besides an increase in cleanings, there are also specialized cleaning methods used, depending on the extent of damage.
Periodontal (gum) disease is an infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place. It's typically caused by poor brushing and flossing habits that allow plaque—a sticky film of bacteria—to build up on the teeth and harden.
Periodontal disease is a serious infection under your gumline. ARESTIN® (minocycline hydrochloride) is an antibiotic that kills the bacteria that cause the infection. It's placed directly in the infected areas—or “pockets”—in your gums.