Periodontal disease is any disease affecting the bones and connective tissue associated with the teeth and gums. Gingivitis, or gum inflammation, is the phase preceding periodontitis, the latter of which involves plaque spreading below the gums. Your body is basically fighting itself, breaking away the tissues and bones that support the teeth. Such things as smoking, diabetes, aging, systemic diseases and conditions, inadequate nutrition, puberty, genetic predisposition, stress, substance abuse, pregnancy, certain medication use, and HIV infection can all cause peritonitis. Even periodontitis can be broken down into different categories.
There are four different types and degrees of periodontitis, each increasing in severity. The first is aggressive periodontitis, which results in rapid detachment and destruction of bone and can be common among close relatives. The second is chronic periodontitis. The most common form of periodontitis, this is when the supporting tissues of the teeth become inflamed. There is also a progression of detachment and loss of bone. Then, there is periodontitis manifested by systemic diseases. Initiating at a young age, the systemic conditions usually associated with this are diabetes, respiratory disease, and heart disease. Finally, is necrotizing periodontal disease, which results in the alveolar bone, periodontal ligament and gingival tissues becoming necrotic (its cells die). Immunosuppression, malnutrition, and HIV infection are usually the systemic conditions in which necrotizing periodontal disease is found.
Treatment for Periodontitis
The easiest way to avoid any disease is to prevent it from happening. Periodontal disease can be prevented by flossing and brushing twice a day, and seeing the dentist regularly. The best time to instill this habit in people is at childhood. It is possible to change habits as adults, it just takes more discipline. Even with regular consumption of pop, sugar and coffee, gum disease is preventable. Granted, it would be easier to prevent if we never consumed any of those, but let’s say you have it. You misplaced or forgot to charge the batteries in your toothbrush. Whatever the reason, what’s next? Is periodontal disease treatable?
It is treatable...in its early stages, an expert can remove the accumulated plaque, removing the cause of the inflammation, halting the progression and deeper infection. You can also opt for a holistic approach, where overall diet and lifestyle is taken into consideration. This is not a quick fix, but happens over a longer period of time. However, there do not seem to be any proven alternative treatments to periodontitis. If your gum disease progresses to periodontitis, aside from seeking professional help, it is advised that you establish and maintain a regular regimen, especially using an electric toothbrush. However, it can lead to the removal of your teeth.
Whether you believe in traditional or holistic approaches, most anything that happens to the body is preventable in one way or another. Teeth have their own set of diseases that also affect parts that connect to and support them. Even fruit juice has harmful sugars in it that can erode away at the teeth, each one progressively detrimental. Food and drink nourishes us, provides us with life sustaining energy, helps us grow. Even if we cannot eat all healthy food, since our teeth interacts with most, if not all nourishment that comes into our body, we should take preventative measures to help maintain them.
