Periodontology

Inflamed gums: causes, symptoms and ways of treatment

Periodontitis is a disease of the periodontium, also known as periodontitis. It affects not only the gums, but also the jawbone and the periodontal fibers.

Periodontology is the dental specialty that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease. Gingivitis is an early form of periodontitis that is limited to the gums and is curable. However, periodontitis can lead to tooth loss if left untreated.

Are you unsure whether you have symptoms of gingivitis or periodontitis? It is important that you act quickly to protect your gums and your teeth.

Signs and symptoms of gingivitis or periodontitis

Symptoms of gingivitis and periodontitis can range from mild to severe and include:

• Bleeding gums when brushing or flossing could be a sign of incipient gingivitis. Healthy gums don't usually bleed, so occasional bleeding gums shouldn't be ignored either, as it could indicate possible gum disease.
• Bad breath, also known as halitosis, can have many causes, such as eating certain foods or poor oral hygiene. However, it can also be an early sign of gingivitis. Bacteria present in gum disease produce unpleasant odors while breaking down food particles in the mouth. While bad breath can be uncomfortable, it could also be a sign of developing gum disease.
• If you notice swollen or altered gums when brushing your teeth, it could be a sign of gum disease such as gingivitis. Normally, the gums should be pink and firm, while gingivitis is characterized by redness and swelling of the gums. It is important not to ignore such changes in the gums, as gingivitis in the advanced stages can lead to tooth loss.
• Inflamed gums and receding gums, in which the gums retract from the tooth, exposing the underlying root of the tooth. This can lead to longer teeth or leave a notch at the gum line. Tooth hypersensitivity can also be a sign of receding gums. If you notice these symptoms, it is important to act quickly and have the causes of gum recession identified and treated.

It is important that you take the symptoms seriously and contact a dentist if you notice them in yourself. Early treatment can help reduce inflammation and prevent further complications.

Difference Between Gingivitis and Periodontitis

To understand the difference between gingivitis and periodontitis, it is important to know that healthy gums adhere firmly to the tooth. This adhesion helps prevent bacteria from migrating from the mouth to the root of the tooth and causing inflammation and tooth decay. While this adhesion is still intact in gingivitis, it is already destroyed in periodontitis. Once the adhesion of the gums to the tooth has been lost, it can no longer be regenerated. It is therefore important to detect possible symptoms of gingivitis or periodontitis at an early stage and to take appropriate measures to prevent the condition from getting worse.

It is important to understand that gingivitis is still completely curable, while periodontitis is irreversible and, in the best case, can only be stabilized. Therefore, it is important to detect and treat gingivitis at an early stage, as it can develop slowly and often unnoticed into periodontitis that can no longer be cured.

Periodontitis itself is a slow process that damages the periodontium before it becomes visible to the patient. It often takes years or even decades for moderate or severe periodontitis with imminent tooth loss to develop.

Another important difference between gingivitis and periodontitis is that gingivitis is a local occurrence, while periodontitis affects the entire body.

Consequences of untreated periodontitis

In the case of periodontitis-related damage such as loose teeth and festering pockets in the oral cavity, other damage throughout the body already indicates an advanced stage of the disease. Scientists have demonstrated numerous links between untreated periodontitis and atherosclerosis, as well as an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. The fact that millions of citizens suffer from moderate to severe periodontitis is a significant problem, since cardiovascular diseases are one of the leading causes of death in our country.

This also has an impact on therapy. While a thorough tooth cleaning is usually sufficient for gingivitis, the treatment of periodontitis should definitely take into account the improvement of the body's own regulation (nutrition, orthomolecular therapy, stress reduction, etc.).

Treatment

Gingivitis
Gingivitis is treated with professional teeth cleaning. During the treatment, all plaque is removed, the spaces between the teeth are cleaned and the teeth are polished smooth so that bacteria can no longer adhere so easily. We also clean and disinfect any gingival pockets that may be present.

Periodontitis
If gingival pockets at least four millimeters deep are detected during a check-up, periodontitis is considered to require treatment.

Periodontitis treatment consists of the following steps:

• Oral hygiene is improved by guiding them on proper dental care and by removing plaque and debris (tartar).
• Performing a professional teeth cleaning, which removes plaque and debris below the gum line.
• If necessary, an additional intake of antibiotics is advisable.
• The success of the treatment is checked.
• It is also possible to perform a surgical procedure under local anesthesia.
• The follow-up examination to ensure the success of the treatment

Causes of gingivitis

Gingivitis is usually due to an accumulation of dental plaque. Plaque is a colorless to pale yellow deposit on the teeth that is colonized by bacteria. This bacterial focus releases toxins that can damage and damage the gums. Without treatment, permanent damage can occur.

The most common cause of gingivitis is inadequate or faulty oral hygiene. If you don't floss and brush your teeth irregularly and not thoroughly, you promote the proliferation of bacteria, which then also damage the gums.

In addition, smoking, certain medications, and also genetic changes can cause gingivitis.

Gingivitis in pregnancy

The female body is in motion in many ways during pregnancy due to hormonal changes. These changes can promote the growth of dental plaque and thereby increase the risk of periodontitis. Therefore, it is essential that pregnant women brush their teeth regularly and rely on professional teeth cleaning to remove stubborn plaque and reduce the risk of gum disease.

Regular tooth-healthy cleaning, especially during pregnancy, is important to avoid gum diseases such as gingivitis or periodontitis and to protect the health of mother and child.

Bacteria test

Aggressive forms of periodontitis are characterized by a spectrum of bacteria that cannot be sufficiently removed with conventional treatment. The use of antibiotics is necessary here.

However, the selection of the right antibiotic requires the identification of the bacterial species causing the disease. We have a molecular-genetic diagnostic procedure (bacterial DNA test) at our disposal for this purpose. We take a sample from the gum pockets and have the bacteria present determined in the laboratory.

We can then use the appropriate antibiotic to specifically remove the bacteria during the subsequent treatment.