Periodontitis: causes, symptoms and treatment

Periodontitis is a serious infection of the gums. It is caused by bacteria that have accumulated on the teeth and gums. As periodontitis progresses, your bones and teeth are irreversibly damaged. However, if periodontitis is treated early and good oral hygiene is maintained, the damage can be stopped.

What are the stages of evolution of periodontitis?

Periodontitis begins with a simple inflammation that inexorably worsens over time. Here are its different stages.

Inflammation in the form of gingivitis

Periodontitis starts with an inflammation of the gums called gingivitis. One of the first signs of gingivitis is bleeding gums when you brush or floss your teeth.

Gingivitis can be triggered by tartar buildup if you don't brush your teeth enough to get rid of plaque and don't have regular scaling at the dentist.

The early stage of periodontitis

In the early stages of periodontitis, the gums recede and small pockets form between them and the teeth. These pockets harbor harmful bacteria. You will probably notice some bleeding while brushing your teeth. Without you even realizing it, bone loss may have already begun.

The moderate stage

If you don't intervene in the early stage, the symptoms get worse and your teeth start to lose their bone support and become loose. The infection can also cause an inflammatory reaction throughout your body.

The advanced stage

In the advanced stage of the disease, the connective tissue that holds the teeth in place begins to deteriorate. The gums, bones and other tissues that support your teeth are destroyed. If you have advanced periodontitis, you may experience severe pain when chewing, bad breath and an unpleasant taste in your mouth. You will probably lose your teeth, which will become loose because the gums no longer hold them in place.

How to detect the symptoms of periodontitis?

It is crucial to intervene as soon as the first symptoms appear in order to stop the evolution of periodontitis. Ask yourself if :

• your gums bleed when you brush your teeth ;
• your teeth change position ;
• you have bad breath ;
• your gums recede and reveal the base of your teeth, previously covered ;
• your gums become red and/or swollen ;
• you feel pain when chewing ;
• your teeth are loosening ;
• you may feel a foul taste in your mouth.

If you have any doubts, make an appointment with your dentist.

What causes periodontitis?

Periodontitis can be caused by poor dental hygiene. The bad bacteria in your mouth overtake the good bacteria and continually undermine them. The tartar that settles on the teeth represents a niche for bacteria, in addition to pushing back the gums.

In addition to hygiene, other factors increase the risk of periodontitis :

• smoking ;
• type 2 diabetes ;
• obesity ;
• Hormonal changes in women (menstruation, pregnancy or menopause) that sensitize the gums ;
• Conditions that impact your immune system, such as HIV or leukemia ;
• medications that reduce the flow of saliva in the mouth ;
• heredity ;
• poor diet, especially a lack of vitamin C.

How is periodontitis treated?

The first condition to fight against periodontitis is to have an irreproachable oral hygiene. You will then need to have a very regular follow-up with your dentist.

Follow-up dental appointment

Your dentist will monitor the evolution of the periodontal pockets very closely. He must also take care of abscesses which are frequent when you suffer from periodontitis.

Drug treatment with antibiotics

In some cases, your dentist will prescribe antibiotics to help treat persistent gum infections. The antibiotic may be in the form of a mouthwash, gel or tablets.

The surgery

If the inflammation persists in certain areas of your mouth, your dentist may perform surgery to clean out the deposits under your gums. Under anesthesia, your gums are pulled apart and the roots of your teeth are cleaned. Your gums are then sutured back into place.

If periodontitis has eroded your jawbones, you will need a bone grafting procedure to regenerate the lost bone.