What are the symptoms of periodontitis?

Written by Peng Ting
Dentistry
Updated on May 16, 2025
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Periodontitis is caused by the invasion of plaque and bacteria into the periodontal supporting tissues, including the gums, periodontal membrane, dentin, and alveolar bone, leading to chronic inflammation and destruction of these tissues. Healthy gums are pink in color, thin at the edges, and tightly adhere to the tooth surface; they are also tough and not prone to bleeding. When periodontitis occurs, there is a significant accumulation of tartar on the tooth surface. This tartar irritates the gums, causing them to become red and swollen, soft in texture, and prone to bleeding upon contact. Periodontal pockets may form, and in severe cases, pus may exude from these pockets. The absorption of the alveolar bone and loosening of the teeth can eventually lead to tooth loss.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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Should periodontitis teeth be extracted or not?

Whether to extract a tooth affected by periodontitis depends on the condition of the periodontitis. In the early stages of periodontitis where there is no absorption of the alveolar bone, and the inflammation is limited to the gums, symptoms may include bleeding gums, red and swollen gums, or pus from the gums. In such cases, it is possible to preserve the tooth after basic treatment. This means that after cleaning the teeth and removing dental calculus, and applying medication to the gums to control inflammation, the tooth can be preserved. However, if the periodontitis is severe and there is significant absorption of the alveolar bone along with loose or falling teeth, it is difficult to preserve the teeth, and extraction may be necessary.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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What department should I go to for periodontitis?

Patients with periodontitis should seek treatment in the periodontal department. If there is no periodontal department available, they can visit the department of oral medicine, or the department of stomatology or otolaryngology. Periodontitis is an inflammation of the periodontal support tissues, including gingivitis and periodontitis, with gingivitis being the early stage of periodontitis. It mainly occurs due to not brushing or rinsing promptly after eating, leading to the accumulation of food residues around the teeth. This condition requires timely teeth cleaning to remove these residues, otherwise, it could cause bleeding during brushing or eating and may further develop into periodontal pockets, leading to the appearance of periodontitis. Periodontitis might also involve the loss of alveolar bone support tissues, which requires timely dental cleaning followed by medication or a guided bone regeneration procedure.

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Dentistry
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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.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
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Does periodontitis need treatment?

Gingivitis is an inflammatory reaction of the tissues surrounding the teeth, clinically manifested as gingivitis or periodontitis. Symptoms include bleeding while eating or brushing teeth. Periodontitis needs to be treated early and can be managed by dental cleaning to remove local irritative factors. Dental calculus is divided into supragingival calculus and subgingival calculus. Supragingival calculus can be removed by dental cleaning, while subgingival calculus requires subgingival scaling. Early treatment of periodontitis can preserve the teeth; if not treated promptly, periodontitis may further lead to the resorption of the alveolar bone, requiring tooth extraction in severe cases.

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Written by Fang Xiao
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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.)