Gingivitis and Periodontitis are gum diseases caused by a gum infection that cripple the tooth’s supporting soft tissue and bone. Gum infection occurs when an individual does not maintain proper oral hygiene and does not follow regular brushing and flossing. Dentists also mentioned that if Gingivitis and Periodontitis are left untreated, the alveolar bone around the teeth gradually deteriorates.
What are Periodontitis and Gingivitis?
Gingivitis is a gum infection that usually takes place just before Periodontitis. Therefore we would say that the primary stage of Periodontitis is Gingivitis.
The term “Periodontitis” refers to inflammation around the tooth. Harmful bacteria stick to the teeth surface and in the surrounding teeth’ pockets, which gradually multiply if the patient does not brush and floss properly. The accumulated bacteria starts releasing acidic toxins, which causes gum inflammation.
Untreated Periodontitis leads to tooth loss. It may enhance the chance of heart attack, stroke, and other health complications.
What is the difference between Gingivitis and Periodontitis?
As previously we said that Gingivitis is the primary stage of Periodontitis. Gingivitis means inflammation and redness of the gum. If Gingivitis gets treatment at the beginning, it does not cause Periodontitis. People who do not maintain proper oral hygiene suffer from gum infection and Gingivitis. Generally, Gingivitis shows mild symptoms at the beginning. Thus people easily ignore it and notice it while it gets severe.
Therefore, proper treatment is necessary at the beginning. Otherwise, it can turn into serious problems (Periodontitis) for your mouth.
The positive things about Gingivitis and Periodontitis are, both of these are treatable and preventable. There are lots of advanced treatments available to reverse gum conditions.
Treatment
A dentist will choose the treatment, or dental hygienist, or Periodontitis. The main objective of the periodontitis treatment is to properly clean the teeth’ nearby pockets and prevent intense damage to the bone. After treatment, you need to follow a daily oral hygiene routine and manage cleanliness and hygiene, influencing oral health. The most important is you have to stop tobacco.
There are two types of treatment available: Surgical & Nonsurgical.
Nonsurgical treatment is a minimally invasive procedure that includes:
Scaling: Scaling successfully eliminates tartar and bacteria from your gum and teeth surface. A dental hygienist cleans them using a laser, ultrasonic device, or manual instrument.
Root planning: Root planning refine the root surface and prevent the formation of plaque and tarter. It also eliminates the by-products secreted by bacteria, causes inflammation, and slows down the healing procedure.
Antibiotics: Effective or oral antibiotic drugs can assist with controlling bacterial contamination. Effective anti-infection agents can incorporate anti-microbial mouthwashes or the addition of gels containing antibacterial in the space between your teeth and gums or into pockets after profound cleaning. Notwithstanding, oral anti-microbial might be important to wipe out disease-causing microscopic organisms.
Surgical treatments include:
Pocket reduction surgery/ Flap surgery:
Here Periodontist makes a small incision in your gum so that this section of gum tissue can be patted back. This part exposes the root for more efficient scaling and root planning. It is due to Periodontitis causing bone loss; thus, the underlying bone gets recontoured before the gum tissue comes back in its place. After the healing process, it is convenient to scrape these particular areas and maintain healthy gum tissue.
Soft tissue grafting:
After losing um tissue, the gumline starts shrinking. The process is usually performed by eliminating a small amount of tissue from the roof of your palate and attached to the affected site. It allows you to decrease further gum recession. Soft tissue grafting also covers the exposed root and provides your teeth more appealing appearance.
Besides these treatments, top dental clinics in Dubai also recommend bone grafting and guided tissue generation to reverse the gum condition.