The teeth, arranged in an arc on the upper and lower jaws in the mouth, are hard structures that aid in digestion and pronunciation, as well as the ability to chew food. Periodontal disease is a disease that appears in the surrounding tissues of the teeth, such as the gums, periodontal ligaments, and alveolar bone surrounding these teeth, and is also called gingivitis. Periodontal disease is divided into gingivitis and periodontitis depending on the severity of the symptoms. When symptoms appear in a form limited to soft tissues such as gums, it is called gingivitis, and when it has progressed to the gums and around the gums, it is called periodontitis. The main cause of periodontal disease can be said to be the effect of plaque, a bacterial film that continuously forms on the teeth. It is known that the release of toxins from the biofilm attached to the gums causes an inflammatory response in the surrounding tissues, which in turn damages the tissues supporting the teeth. In addition, when saliva secretion is reduced, it becomes difficult to wash off the plaque, which increases the chance of inflammation due to the proliferation of bacterial counts in the mouth. In addition, excessive smoking and drinking can make periodontal disease worse because it weakens the immune system and destroys the tissues of the gums. Now, let’s take a look at the main symptoms of periodontal disease, as well as various methods to help prevent and manage it.
The main symptoms of periodontal disease
Gingivitis, an early periodontal disease, is an inflammation of the gums, which can cause red, swollen, and bleeding gums. If the inflammation of the gums is limited to soft tissues, recovery is possible with simple treatment. However, as the periodontal disease progresses, not only the gums but also the alveolar bone under the gums melt, and if it progresses to periodontitis, bad breath continues, and pus is generated between the teeth and gums and discomfort is caused during mastication. Periodontitis can damage the alveolar bone that supports the teeth if not treated promptly. And these symptoms are accompanied by various symptoms such as bleeding or swelling of the gums, soreness, and shaking and sore teeth. In addition, if periodontal disease is not treated properly, the bacteria caused by periodontal disease penetrate into blood vessels and cause an increase in inflammatory mediators due to inflammation, which affects the onset of systemic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory disease. do. Therefore, if various symptoms such as sore teeth or bleeding gums while brushing your teeth, or periodic swelling of the gums persist, it is recommended to visit a hospital for an accurate examination and treatment. In addition, maintaining the habit of paying more attention to oral hygiene is also an important preventive measure for periodontal disease.
How to prevent periodontal disease
1. The habit of brushing teeth thoroughly
To prevent periodontal disease, the most important management habit is to brush your teeth after eating or before going to bed to remove bacteria in the form of plaque and tartar in your mouth. When brushing your teeth, it is a good idea to brush your teeth in the right way and to thoroughly clean every nook and cranny of your teeth. Also, in areas that cannot be completely removed by brushing, using oral hygiene aids such as dental floss and interdental toothbrushes can help remove plaque between teeth and clean the adjacent surfaces of the teeth.
2. No smoking
Smoking can lead to the growth of bacteria that adversely affect oral health, as well as damage the gum tissue and surrounding tissues. In addition, it is recommended to quit smoking because harmful ingredients such as tar contained in cigarettes can cause tea color on the gums and teeth, and cause severe dry mouth, which can cause bad breath. In addition, excessive drinking and binge drinking can cause the destruction of gum tissue, so it is recommended to control it appropriately.
3. Regular check-up
In order to prevent periodontal disease, it is also important to have regular checkups and scaling at the dentist. Also, since gum disease tends to recur if continuous management is neglected, it is important to receive continuous inspection and management, such as receiving calculus removal every 6 months to 1 year, for the treatment of gum disease. In addition, receiving treatment for systemic diseases such as diabetes, which can worsen periodontal disease, is also an important management method.
