Based on research, more than 2/3 of adults over 35 years old, suffer without knowing it from periodontitis, which in its initial form is expressed as gingivitis. In the progression of gingivitis, periodontitis, the inflammation is not only limited to the gums, but we also have destruction of the supporting bones, which, when it progresses, causes the teeth to initially wobble and eventually fall out.
Characteristics of periodontitis are:
- It affects 99% of people over the age of 35, everyone will go through this stage.
- It is the most devastating disease, as it is responsible for infinitely greater damage than tooth decay (broken teeth).
- It’s a slow disease, it doesn’t act quickly, it works for years.
- It does not give strong symptoms at first, such as severe pain, the bone is slowly and insidiously lost.
- The teeth seem to be getting longer, which is because the gums are pulling away.
- Patients are sensitive to hot and cold, as the roots are not protected by enamel and are therefore more sensitive.
- Gaps are created between the teeth, in which food is implanted and patients start using toothpicks.
- Another characteristic is bad breath. Bad breath is caused by the deep concentration of microbes, which cannot be removed by brushing.
- Another characteristic is root caries, due to the loss of bone and the infestation of the roots, which are not protected by enamel enamel.
- Periodontitis has no cure, that is, the bone that has been lost can only be preserved, and the disease can be frozen, that is, stopped.
The sole cause of periodontal disease is one: dental plaque, that is, microbes, which are either not removed properly by brushing or cannot be removed even though we brush properly, because they are trapped in the tartar-dental mass that only the Dentist – Periodontist can remove. Aggravating factors that affect the aggression, as well as the speed of spread of periodontal disease are:
Heredity:
Periodontitis also has to do with our body’s defences. Some patients have weaker defence cells than others.
Smoking:
The nicotine in cigarettes causes vasoconstriction, i.e. it clogs the blood vessels, making them smaller, thus weakening the body’s defences against germs.
Angiopathy
Stress
Avitaminosis
Fatigue
Diabetes
Prevention
To avoid periodontitis, we can take care of our oral hygiene ourselves.
More specifically:
Proper tooth brushing at least twice a day (with fluoride toothpaste).
Flossing regularly to remove dental plaque from between the teeth.
Regular visits to the dentist for oral check-ups and teeth cleaning.
Stop smoking