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Periodontitis
Do you need to get your teeth cleaned for periodontitis?
Periodontitis generally develops from gingivitis and is caused by irritation from dental calculus, soft deposits or dental plaque around the gums, leading to bleeding gums or bleeding when eating, as well as the further infection by bacteria causing swollen, suppurating gums and the formation of periodontal pockets. Severe cases may involve the loss of alveolar bone. Therefore, the basic treatment for periodontitis is dental cleaning, which involves removing irritants around the teeth, followed by rinsing and medicating to improve the inflammatory condition. If symptoms do not improve effectively after basic dental cleaning treatment, further treatments such as subgingival scaling to remove calculus under the gums or root planing may be necessary. If the absorption of the alveolar bone is severe, alveolar bone grafting may also be considered.
What are the symptoms of periodontitis?
The main symptoms of periodontitis include: 1. Inflammation of the gums, which may present as bleeding, swelling, and a soft texture. Patients may experience bleeding while brushing their teeth, biting into hard objects, or even spontaneously. 2. Formation of periodontal pockets, where ongoing inflammation can lead to the development of periodontal pockets, resulting in the loss of periodontal attachment and causing bad breath. 3. Resorption of the alveolar bone, which can lead to weakened chewing capability. 4. Loose teeth, shifting of teeth, or even tooth loss, accompanied by secondary jaw trauma, gum recession, increased space between teeth, weakened chewing capability in the molars, fan-shaped spreading of the anterior teeth, periodontal abscess, food impaction, root caries, tooth sensitivity, etc. Therefore, it is important to maintain oral hygiene by brushing teeth morning and evening, rinsing after meals, and regularly visiting a dental department at an accredited hospital for teeth cleaning and periodontal care.
Symptoms of periodontitis pain
When a patient suffers from periodontitis, it means that the periodontal tissues are in an inflammatory phase. The inflamed gum tissue may exhibit symptoms such as redness, pain, and a relatively soft texture. Touching it may cause bleeding. Some patients may experience pus discharge and loosening of teeth, which are common symptoms of periodontitis. As the condition progresses, the spaces between teeth may increase, eventually leading to shrinkage of the gum tissue, loosening of teeth, or even tooth loss. Therefore, it is recommended that patients with periodontitis seek timely medical attention at a reputable dental hospital and take appropriate measures. Additionally, it is essential for patients to maintain correct tooth brushing methods and develop proper oral hygiene habits in their daily lives.
How is periodontitis caused?
Periodontitis is a destructive inflammatory condition of the periodontal supporting tissues. The primary initiating factor of periodontitis is dental plaque, which occurs due to not brushing or rinsing promptly after eating. Over time, soft deposits accumulate around the teeth, which can calcify into tartar. The tartar contains a large amount of biofilm, such as the dental plaque biofilm, which can damage and cause bleeding or congestion in the gingival tissues, manifesting as bleeding when brushing teeth or eating. If gingivitis is not treated in time, it may lead to periodontitis. Periodontitis is also related to other systemic factors, such as genetic factors or smoking, mental stress, etc. Sometimes, discoloration of the tooth surfaces or food impaction can also cause periodontitis.
Does periodontitis use infusion tubes?
Gingivitis infusion therapy does have certain effects. This is because infusion mainly consists of antibiotics that can treat inflammation and alleviate symptoms; however, this effect is primarily temporary. For a thorough treatment, it is necessary to visit a professional dental department at a regular hospital for systematic periodontal treatment, including supragingival cleaning, subgingival scaling, and root planing. Alternatively, without infusion, you can use periodontitis drugs under the guidance of a doctor, such as anti-inflammatory drugs like Metronidazole, Tinidazole, and Ornidazole. Regular oral hygiene is crucial: brush your teeth in the morning and evening, rinse after meals, and regularly visit the dental department at a recognized hospital for periodontal maintenance. Only by doing so can the inflammation of the periodontium be controlled. (Use of medication should be under the guidance of a physician)
Does incision and drainage for periodontitis hurt?
When there is excessive pus, an incision and drainage needs to be performed. Periodontitis is a pathological condition of the dental supporting tissues caused by both dental plaque and tartar, resulting from poor oral hygiene, incomplete brushing, and the accumulation of dental plaque and tartar, which irritates the gum tissues and causes inflammation. If there is excessive pus, it is necessary to go to a regular hospital's dental department for incision and drainage. The procedure can be performed under local anesthesia, which is painless. The area is repeatedly rinsed with hydrogen peroxide and saline, treated with iodine glycerin, and oral medications such as cephalosporins and metronidazole are taken. Use compound povidone-iodine solution for mouth rinsing. Once the inflammation is controlled, systematic periodontal treatment can be performed, including supragingival cleaning, subgingival scaling, root planing. Regular oral hygiene should be maintained, brushing teeth in the morning and evening, rinsing the mouth after meals, and learning to use dental floss sticks. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a physician.)
Is periodontitis serious?
Periodontitis is a development of gingivitis. To determine the severity of periodontitis, an X-ray of the teeth is required to check for pathological bone resorption in the alveolar bone. If the symptoms are limited to the gingival tissue, such as simple gingival bleeding, brushing bleeding, gingival swelling, or pus discharge, it can be managed by dental cleaning or ultrasonic scaling, followed by medicated irrigation around the gums to improve the inflammation. If subgingival calculus is present, it might also be addressed with scaling or root planing to remove the calculus. If there is significant alveolar bone resorption due to severe periodontitis, the condition is serious and may require guided bone regeneration surgery. In severe cases, tooth extraction may be necessary.
Where to treat periodontitis?
Under normal circumstances, patients with periodontitis should seek treatment at the periodontics department of a formal hospital. Professional periodontists will perform periodontal cleaning, scaling, root planing, periodontal flap surgery, etc. on the teeth. These periodontal treatment methods can effectively remove a series of infectious substances such as tartar, plaque, and soft deposits adhered to the teeth, thereby achieving the purpose of curing periodontitis. Additionally, periodontitis requires long-term, continuous treatment. It is essential to follow the doctor's advice, revisit regularly, and have teeth cleaned every six months or annually to maintain the current condition of the periodontium and prevent further inflammation.
Can teeth be extracted with periodontitis?
Teeth should not be extracted during a periodontitis flare-up, as it may involve symptoms like swollen gums, pus discharge, or the presence of inflammatory processes in the periodontium. Extracting teeth during such a flare-up could lead to the systemic spread of the inflammation, potentially causing severe conditions such as bacteremia or sepsis, and even life-threatening situations. Periodontitis involves the resorption of the supporting periodontal tissues. If periodontitis can be managed by cleaning the teeth to remove local irritants, or through guided bone regeneration, and if the teeth can be preserved, it is generally best to avoid extractions. Teeth that can be preserved should be retained. However, if the periodontitis has caused severe lesions and the teeth cannot be preserved, showing signs of looseness or are even on the verge of falling out, extraction should only be considered after the inflammation is under control.
What to do if periodontitis causes a fever?
Periodontitis is an inflammation of the gums and oral cavity. When a patient has periodontitis, they may experience pain and swelling. When the inflammation is severe, the patient may have a slight fever. In such cases, it is generally recommended that the patient take oral antibiotics effective against anaerobic bacteria, such as metronidazole or tinidazole, as well as anti-inflammatory antibiotics like amoxicillin, cephalosporins, levofloxacin, or erythromycin. If fever occurs, it is recommended that the patient take antipyretic analgesics, such as ibuprofen sustained-release tablets or acetaminophen tablets, which can relieve pain and reduce fever. If the periodontitis is severe, it is advised that the patient should promptly visit a hospital and follow a doctor’s guidance to develop an appropriate treatment plan. (Note: The use of medications should be under the guidance of a physician.)