Symptoms and treatment of periodontitis

What is periodontitis and what causes it?

Periodontitis is one of the most frequent infections in humans, especially after the age of 35. It is an infection caused by bacteria that destroy the support of the tooth, gum and bone.

What symptoms occur in periodontitis?

The first symptom that identifies the population in general is gum bleeding or gingivitis, when brushing or spontaneously. Other symptoms are the mobility of the teeth, the movement of the gum up or down leaving longer teeth, also the migration of the teeth and opening of spaces between the teeth - what we call black spaces or embrasures - then there may be even suppuration, bad taste, halitosis or phlegmons.

How is periodontitis treated?

The treatment of periodontitis has three parts. An anti-infectious or systemic part where we make hygiene and give the patient oral medicine instructions. In this part we make deep hygienic and raspajes to reduce the infection. The second part consists of finishing removing bags or regenerating gum and bone, if possible with small minimally invasive surgical procedures. The third part is maintenance, absolutely necessary.

Is periodontitis contagious?

We do not have a definitive answer to this question. It is demonstrated that after 10 years of living together of stable couples, some or many of these bacteria are transmitted. The truth is that we all have the bacteria that cause periodontitis at low levels and it is the overgrowth, when we allow the bacterial plaque to accumulate, together with the genetic susceptibility, which generates the infection.

How can I keep my gums healthy after treatment?

The treatment of periodontitis does not work without maintenance, patients who have proven to be susceptible must commit to follow a maintenance consisting of hygienics every four or six months for the rest of their lives.