What is periodontitis?

Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
Updated on September 05, 2024
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Periodontitis is an inflammation of the periodontal supporting tissues, including the gums, periodontal membrane, alveolar bone, and cementum. The early stages of periodontitis are mainly caused by irritants such as tartar, plaque, and soft deposits around the teeth, leading to swollen, pus-leaking gums, or bleeding during eating and brushing. If not treated promptly, tartar will adhere above and below the gums, forming supragingival and subgingival calculus. For calculus above the gums, ultrasonic cleaning, also known as dental scaling, is required. For calculus below the gums, it can be removed through curettage. If the mobility of the teeth improves after removal, the periodontitis can then enter the maintenance phase for the teeth.

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Written by Li Cui
Dentistry
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Is periodontitis grade II serious?

The patient suffers from periodontitis and is in the second stage. At this point, it is recommended that the patient promptly undergo dental treatment. This can effectively alleviate symptoms and control the disease progression. It may not achieve complete cure, but it can prevent the further development of gingivitis, control the condition, and prevent some gum recession. If treatment is not administered, it may worsen and lead to loose teeth, so it is advised that patients take timely control measures. Additionally, patients should avoid eating spicy and stimulating food, as well as overly hot or hard food that can long-term irritate the gum tissue. Regular brushing in the morning and evening, rinsing the mouth after meals, and using dental floss to remove food residue in the mouth can help treat periodontitis.

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Written by Li Cui
Dentistry
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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.)

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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How is periodontitis treated at the dentist?

The treatment plan for periodontitis and caries requires first taking an X-ray to understand the severity of the periodontitis. If the periodontitis is not severe and is merely inflammation of the gum tissue, characterized by red, swollen gums, pus discharge, or bleeding, this situation can be addressed by dental cleaning to remove local irritants, followed by medicated rinsing around the gums to improve inflammation. If the periodontitis is more severe, involving absorption of the alveolar bone, then guided bone regeneration procedures are necessary. After basic treatment of the periodontitis, the teeth enter a maintenance phase, requiring regular follow-up visits.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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What to do after tooth extraction due to periodontitis?

After tooth extraction due to periodontitis, it is necessary to promptly fit a dental prosthesis. Periodontitis generally involves significant loss of the alveolar bone, leading to tooth mobility and even loss. After extracting a tooth due to periodontitis, it is essential first to observe for three months. After three months, once the absorption of the alveolar bone stabilizes, dental prosthesis can be performed. Temporary restorative measures, such as using temporary teeth, are also an option during this period. Temporary teeth generally require fitting with a permanent prosthesis after three months, at which point the temporary teeth are discarded. After fitting a permanent prosthesis, it is important to avoid hard foods since the jawbone conditions are not ideal due to periodontitis, and chewing hard objects could accelerate the absorption of the alveolar bone. Therefore, after tooth extraction due to periodontitis, temporary teeth can be worn for three months before permanent prosthetic treatment is carried out.

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Written by Zhan Jun Yan
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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.