Did you know that periodontitis, commonly known as gum disease, affects nearly half of adults over 30? It’s a serious condition that starts with simple gum inflammation and can lead to tooth loss if untreated. Understanding gum health is key to maintaining a healthy smile.
What Is periodontitis?
Periodontitis is a severe gum infection that damages the soft tissue and, without treatment, can destroy the bone supporting your teeth. It starts with plaque buildup along the gum line, causing inflammation (gingivitis) that can progress into periodontitis if not properly treated.
Signs of Gum Disease:
- Swollen, red, or bleeding gums
- Bad breath
- Receding gums
- Loose teeth (at a very advanced stage)
What are the risk factors?
Smoking
Smoking is the primary environmental risk factor for periodontitis. Smokers have a significantly higher occurrence of red-complex periodontal pathogens in their subgingival biofilm compared to non-smokers or former smokers. Additionally, smoking negatively affects host immune cells, particularly neutrophils, which increases susceptibility to periodontitis. Moreover, smoking adversely impacts the effectiveness of both active periodontal therapy and long-term maintenance therapy. (1)
Diabetes
Patients with uncontrolled diabetes have a higher risk of developing periodontitis compared to those who are systemically healthy or have well-controlled diabetes. Scientifically validated biological mechanisms explain this association. Additionally, individuals with uncontrolled diabetes show changes in connective tissue metabolism, affecting both the resorptive and formative processes in the periodontium. These changes are linked to elevated levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and their interaction with receptors for AGE (RAGEs), which are more pronounced in patients with uncontrolled diabetes than in those who are healthy or have well-controlled diabetes. (1)
How to prevent periodontitis naturally:
A good and complete oral hygiene routine helps prevent gum disease.
Our top recommendations:
- Natural toothpaste: Our fluoride-free toothpaste helps to gently clean and remove plaque without harsh chemicals.
- Oil pulling mouthwash: Using our organic coconut oil mouthwash can help reduce harmful bacteria and promote healthier gums.
- Floss: By removing plaque from between the teeth, flossing prevents the buildup that can lead to tartar.
How to treat periodontisis?
Treating periodontitis involves a combination of professional dental care and good oral hygiene practices at home. Here are the main approaches based on the latest research:
Professional Dental Treatments
Scaling and Root Planing:
This is a deep-cleaning procedure performed by a dentist or periodontist, involving the removal of plaque and tartar from below the gum line (scaling) and smoothing the roots of the teeth to help gums reattach (root planing) (9).
Full-Mouth Disinfection:
This method involves treating all affected areas of the mouth within a 24-hour period to reduce the risk of reinfection from untreated areas. Studies show it can result in better clinical outcomes compared to treating one quadrant at a time (10).
Antimicrobial Treatments:
Local application of antimicrobial agents, such as chlorhexidine or doxycycline, can help reduce bacterial load and inflammation. These agents can be used as adjuncts to mechanical cleaning methods (11).
Surgical Interventions:
In severe cases, surgical procedures such as flap surgery (to clean the roots of the teeth and repair bone damage) or bone and tissue grafts (to replace or encourage the regeneration of bone and gum tissue) may be necessary (12).