Remember when you were a kid, and your mom was getting on your back about getting your teeth sparkling clean? Remember how annoying that was, and how you'd try and get out of it whenever you could? Also, remember how when you were a little older, you realized just how essential it was to keep good oral hygiene?
Failing to look after your teeth can be catastrophic to the health of your mouth. Put simply, when you abuse them, you might lose them. Here's why.
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Periodontitis
Periodontal disease is an infection that damages soft tissues and bones that hold teeth in place. If left untreated, the bone around the teeth is lost, and teeth can fall out. It can also potentially increase the risk of stroke, heart attack, and other health issues.
Periodontal disease is caused by plaque not being removed from teeth. Once it hardens, it becomes tartar. As bacteria and plaque stay stuck to the tooth surface, the immune system response creates inflammation.
Symptoms of Periodontitis
Symptoms of periodontal disease include:
- swollen or inflamed gums
- gums that are painful to touch
- receding gums
- gaps or spaces between the teeth that weren’t there before
- bleeding when brushing teeth
- bad breath
- a metallic taste in the mouth
- a difference in bite alignment
Treating Periodontal Disease
In most cases, the first thing to do to treat periodontitis is to clean out bacteria from the mouth and prevent the bone and tissue degeneration from getting any worse.
You may also be prescribed an antimicrobial mouthwash, which can be used as you would a regular mouthwash, but is used to control bacteria in the mouth. If you've had a root planing treatment, an antiseptic chip may be placed in your mouth that slowly releases antibiotic medication over time, and keeps your mouth clean.
If you have very advanced periodontitis, you may need bone or tissue grafts to help restore your smile. These are surgical procedures where small pieces of bone or tissue are grafted to areas where erosion has happened, preventing further tooth loss.
Keeping Your Mouth Clean
In most cases, periodontitis can be easily prevented by maintaining good oral hygiene, which you should do even if your teeth appear healthy. Brush at least twice a day, and floss once a day. You can also use interdental brushes if you have larger spaces between your teeth. Electric toothbrushes are another great way of making sure you have reached every single surface of your mouth.
Even if your periodontitis clears up after your oral hygiene improves, it’s important to keep it up as it can recur at any time.
You should also have your teeth cleaned by the dentist from Terrace Smiles Dentistry, twice a year if you can, as they'll be able to clean below the gum line, and smooth rough edges on the roots of your teeth where bacteria can get stuck.
Even if you’re struggling with periodontitis, its effects can be halted through regular check-ups, treatment, and continued good oral hygiene. You’ll be smiling again in no time!
