Periodontitis / Periodontitis

 

Periodontitis or periodontitis as it is also called is gingivitis that has spread to the surrounding tissues, i.e. down into the bone and root fibers around the tooth root. This causes lasting loss of the root fibres of the tooth with subsequent breakdown of the bone.

 

How to treat periodontitis/periodontitis?

If a general examination finds bone shrinkage of about 2 or more teeth of 2 mm or more (equivalent to gum pockets of 5 mm or more) and bleeding at the same gum pocket, there is periodontitis and treatment should be initiated.

When treating periodontitis, the aim is to stop the disease so that the teeth do not lose more bone hilt and, in the worst case, are lost.

When parodontitis treatment is performed, tartar and bacteria are removed from the gum pocket and the root surfaces are smoothed. Local anaesthetic may be considered if the gums are very sore. In addition, instructions will be given on how to keep the teeth clean so that the disease does not develop further. Studies have shown that home cleaning is extremely important for a successful course of treatment of periodontitis. It is therefore very important to keep the focus on good oral hygiene. In cases of very advanced periodontitis, it may be necessary to supplement the tooth root cleanings with a gum operation. This type of treatment is always carried out under local anaesthetic. It is a relatively minimal procedure and there should not be much discomfort or pain afterwards. As a general rule, it is important to get started quickly with tooth brushing and space cleaning again after regular periodontitis treatment. This is to keep your teeth clean so that there is no new plaque and tartar on the teeth.

 

What is healthy gums/gingiva? 

Healthy gums sit tightly to the tooth. It is pink and slightly nubre in the surface, and does not bleed after thorough brushing, nor after the use of floss, toothpicks or interdental brushes.

The tooth, bone and gums

A tooth gets stuck in the jaw bone with the help of small root fibres, and the bone is covered with gums. The part of the tooth that can be seen in the mouth is called the crown, while the root of the tooth, in healthy conditions, is covered with the gums and therefore cannot be seen. 

The small fibers from the tooth that attach the tooth to the bone sit all the way up the tooth root, so some fibers attach to the bone, while others cause the gums to sit tightly around the tooth. Thus, the fibers usually end only just below the crown of the tooth. At the dental crown, the gums bend around and form a natural pocket that in healthy conditions is no more than 2-3 mm deep. 

 

What is gingivitis/gingivitis? 

Gingivitis or gingivitis as it is called in jargon is a chronic inflammation of the gums around the teeth. The condition can occur in patients of all ages and is caused by the accumulation of plaque and tartar on and around the teeth. In inflammation, the gums are seen swollen and reddish and can also be tender. In addition, gums with inflammation have an easier time bleeding, e.g. in connection with brushing and when space cleaning.

 

What is periodontitis? 

Periodontitis, The Dentists Classensgade on Østerbro

The gum pockets around the teeth thus deepen, and the tooth is not stuck in as much bone. In other words, gingivitis that is not treated can develop into periodontitis. 

The more severe periodontitis is, the deeper the gum pockets become – and the looser the teeth become.

 

*Illustrations borrowed from https://www.tandlaegeforeningen.dk/Patienter/sygdomme_og_gener_A-AA/P-R/parodontitis

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