Periodontitis, also known as gum disease, is a serious gum infection that harms the soft tissues and, if left untreated, can destroy the bone that supports teeth. Periodontitis is a common but largely preventable condition that is typically brought on by poor oral hygiene. Brushing at least twice a day, flossing daily, and scheduling routine dental checkups can significantly increase the likelihood that periodontitis will respond well to treatment.
SYMPTOMS OF PERIODONTITIS
Signs and symptoms of periodontitis can include: Tightly fitting, firm, pale pink gums that are healthy look like:
- Swollen or puffy gums
- Red gums that are either bright, dark, or purple
- touchable gums that are soft
- Gums that bleed easily
- Pink-tinged toothbrush after brushing
- When flossing or brushing your teeth, you spit blood.
- Bad breath
- Our gums and teeth are infected.
- Teeth that are loose or missing
- Painful chewing
- between our teeth, there are more voids now.
- Receding gums make teeth appear longer than they should be by pulling away from them.
- a modification in how your teeth bite together
CAUSES OF PERIODONTITIS
Plaque, a sticky film primarily made of bacteria, is typically where periodontitis begins to develop; however, if plaque is not treated, it can eventually progress to periodontitis as shown below.
- Plaque forms on teethPlaque is removed with twice-daily brushing and once-daily flossing, but it quickly forms again when the starches and sugars in food interact with the oral bacteria that are naturally present in our mouths.
- Plaque can harden under our gumline into tartar (calculus)The longer plaque and tartar remain on our teeth, the more harm they can cause. Tartar is more difficult to remove and is filled with bacteria; it cannot be removed by brushing and flossing; instead, proper treatment is needed.
- Plaque can cause gingivitis,Gingivitis is the most common form of gum disease and is characterized by irritation and inflammation of the gingiva, the area of our gum tissue that surrounds the base of our teeth.
- Ongoing gum inflammation can cause periodontitis,If not treated, these deep infections result in a loss of tissue and bone, and eventually we may lose one or more teeth. Also, ongoing chronic inflammation can tax our immune system. Eventually, pockets form between our gums and teeth that fill with plaque, tartar, and bacteria over time. As these pockets deepen, they fill with more bacteria.
RISK FACTORS
The following factors can make us more susceptible to developing periodontitis:
- Gingivitis
- Poor oral health habits
- Smoking or chewing tobacco
- hormone alterations, like those brought on by menopause or pregnancy
- smoking marijuana or using e-cigarettes as a recreational drug
- Obesity
- nutritional deficiencies, such as a lack of vitamin C
- Genetics
- Several drugs that alter gums or cause dry mouth
- Leukemia, HIV/AIDS, and chemotherapy are examples of conditions that lower immunity.
- Several conditions, including diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and Crohn’s disease
COMPLICATIONS OF PERIODONTITIS
Because the bacteria that cause periodontitis can enter our bloodstream through gum tissue and potentially affect other parts of our body, including the respiratory system, rheumatoid arthritis, coronary artery disease, and issues with blood sugar control in diabetes, periodontitis can result in tooth loss.
PREVENTION OF PERIODONTITIS
The best way to avoid developing periodontitis is to practice good oral hygiene on a regular basis throughout our lives, beginning as early as possible.
- Good oral hygiene-Good oral hygiene prevents the emergence of an environment around our teeth that is conducive to the development of specific bacteria that cause periodontal disease. This means brushing our teeth for two minutes at least twice daily, in the morning and before going to bed, and flossing at least once per day.
- Visit your dentist or dental hygienist regularly for cleanings, which should be done every six to twelve months on average. If you smoke, have dry mouth, take certain medications, or have a history of periodontitis, you may need professional cleaning more frequently.
HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT FOR PERIODONTITIS
MERC SOL :Useful for periodontitis when there is an offensive mouth odor, excessive salivation, and a metallic taste in the mouth, as well as when the gums are destroyed and when they recede from the teeth. The symptoms of periodontitis include very red, swollen, inflamed, soft, spongy gums that are very sensitive to touch and painful to the touch.
SILICEA :Given when there is an intense swelling of the gums and there is a sense that the teeth are too long, this medication is helpful for periodontitis because the gums are sore, painful, sensitive, and bleed easily.
NATRUM MUR :Given when pain is felt, which is typically while eating or occasionally when chewing, this medicine is very helpful for cases of podontitis where the gums are bluish, red, swollen, and painful, which is burning, smarting type.
PHOSPHORUS :Helpful for cases of periodontitis that include easy bleeding from the gums that occurs especially when touching the gums, pain in the teeth that is primarily of the throbbing variety that may be accompanied by sore, swollen gums, and loosening of the teeth in the gums.
CARBO VEG :People who need it complain of gum soreness, pain, and sensitivity, as well as easy bleeding from gums, especially when sucking or cleaning them. This medication is well indicated when the gums pull away from the teeth and cause teeth to become loose and feel elongated.
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