How Periodontitis Develops: The Causes
Periodontitis, more commonly known as pyorrhea, is a disease that develops when bacterial plaque accumulates in the space between the tooth and the gum, leading to the formation of a periodontal pocket—an area where bacteria accumulate.
In this case, normal brushing is no longer sufficient, as it is impossible to reach this area. Therefore, a series of techniques will be used, which we will describe later, especially when treating periodontitis.
Why is it called periodontitis?
It is called periodontitis because it affects the periodontium, which is the supporting structure of the tooth made up of bone, the ligament around the tooth root, and the gum.
Periodontitis and Gingivitis
Before periodontitis occurs, gingivitis generally appears. This condition is characterized by redness and bleeding of the gums without the presence of periodontal pockets. It is a reversible disease that must be treated to prevent it from developing into periodontitis. Treatment involves the removal of bacterial plaque, although the best medicine is certainly prevention through careful and consistent oral hygiene.
Symptoms and Causes of Periodontitis
In its early stage, periodontitis presents with inflammation and bleeding of the gums. In a more advanced stage, it causes destruction of the bone and ligament, as well as gum recession, making the teeth appear longer. In the most advanced stage, teeth begin to become increasingly unstable and may fall out on their own. Therefore, it is crucial to treat it, including effective methods for treating periodontitis.
The causes of periodontitis are primarily related to inadequate oral hygiene. If the toothbrush is not used correctly, or if teeth are brushed only once or twice a day, plaque begins to accumulate near the gums. Additionally, if not removed promptly, it mineralizes and turns into tartar. At this point, periodontal pockets start to form. This video on how to brush your teeth correctly can help you prevent periodontitis. In any case, it is very important to have regular professional cleaning sessions to remove all the plaque that we were unable to eliminate with home oral hygiene, especially when treating periodontitis.
