Contrary to what one might imagine, it is a widespread disease. widespread disease. In fact, 15% of the population suffers from a severe form of periodontitis and about 50% is affected in various ways, 15% of the population suffers from a severe form of periodontitis and about 50% are affected in various ways.. This is a problem that should not be underestimated, as it also has a strong impact on a person's overall health.

What is periodontitis?

Periodontitis, or periodontal disease, is a polymicrobial polymicrobial infection that affects the periodontiumi.e., the tissues and tissues and structures that support the teeth: gums, bone and periodontal ligaments..

Periodontitis damages all periodontal tissues, but, depending on the level of infection, it has different degrees of severity, has different degrees of severity.

When not properly treated, periodontitis can progress from the first stage, which may correspond to gingivitis, to a may correspond to gingivitisto the most to the most severe stage of the disease, also called periodontitiswhich manifests itself with the loss of teeth. loss of the dental pieces more or less rapid.

Underestimated, but widespread, periodontal disease is a very serious pathology of the oral cavity.

Unfortunately, many patients tend to overlook the symptoms of periodontitis, many patients tend to overlook the symptoms of periodontitis and only visit the dentist in the acute phase of the disease. and only visit the dentist in the acute phase of the disease.

Symptoms of periodontal disease

Symptoms of periodontal disease should never be underestimated, as they always lead to worsening and chronic periodontal disease. lead to worsening and chronicity of the disease..

The main symptoms of periodontitis are:

• Bleeding gums
• Dental hypersensitivity to heat and cold
• Pain and hypersensitivity of the gums
• Flaccidity of the gums
• Feeling of having "longer" teeth
• Sensation of having teeth that move
• Sensation of teeth shifting position
• Halitosis

Neglecting even one of these symptoms can lead to the development of periodontitis. development of periodontitis and aggravation of periodontal disease.

In the presence of one or several symptoms, it is necessary to immediately contact a specialized dentist who, by means of an adequate analysis of the oral cavity, can correlate the signs detected with the possible pathology.

Causes

The main causes of periodontitis are:

• Daily oral hygiene daily deficient or absent.
• The consequent accumulation of dental biofilm.
• Appearance of tartar.

Although subjective factors of various kinds, related to the condition and characteristics of the patient's organism, may also contribute, periodontal disease is mainly determined by the lack of proper care, both on a daily basisThe lack of proper periodontal care, both on a daily basis as well as periodic visits to the dentist.

Treatment

When gingivitis progresses to periodontitis, treatment becomes much more complicated. Only the dentist and hygienist can provide periodontal treatment, which requires special dental procedures and may require oral surgery.which requires special dental procedures and may require oral surgery. If the dentist concludes that periodontitis is present, treatment will depend on the severity of the infection.. Options include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Scaling and root planingScaling and root planing: In this two-step procedure to treat periodontitis, the dentist will scrapes tartar buildup from the teeth above and below the gum line (scaling). (scaling). Next, the dental specialist polishes away the roughness of the tooth roots, which reduces the accumulation of bacteria and therefore plaque and tartar.
• Flap surgeryIf gum inflammation and pockets near the teeth persist after a deep cleaning procedure, your dentist may recommend flap surgery. Flap surgery, a common procedure to treat periodontitis, is performed by a specialist called a periodontist. During flap surgery tartar is removed from the pockets along the teeth. The pockets are then sutured so that the gum tissues can reattach to the teeth.. The reduction of the pockets makes brushing and flossing easier and more comfortable.
• GraftsGrafting: Severe cases of periodontitis may require bone or tissue grafts to replace the infected one, may require bone or tissue grafts to replace infected bone or tissue.. The grafting may consist of a technique called "guided tissue regeneration"in which a small piece of membrane is inserted between the jawbone and the gum to allow the bone and tissue to regenerate. Guided tissue regeneration prevents the gum tissue from expanding in the area that the bone should occupy, so that the bone and tissue grafts have the space they need to grow.

Prevention

From infancy, it is possible to prevent periodontitisIt is possible to prevent periodontitis, counteract the appearance of its main symptoms and avoid an inflammatory process that can degenerate into an acute bacterial infection with a few simple measures:

• Attend regular and continuous professional hygiene sessions. professional hygiene with a specialized professional.
• After every meal, practice proper daily dental hygiene at home. at home.
• Pay close attention to attention to the symptoms of periodontal of periodontal disease.

Contrary to popular belief, pyorrhea is a disease that can also affect children and adolescents. can also affect children and adolescentsIt can also affect children and adolescents, with varying degrees of pathology and, if not effectively treated, can have aggressive recurrences in the course of development.

To prevent the appearance of the main symptoms of periodontal disease in children and adolescents, it is necessary to educate them from a very young age, after every meal, in a correct and regular daily oral hygiene and to submit them regularly to professional oral hygiene sessions in a dental clinic they trust.

Types of periodontitis

From the clinical point of view, depending on the symptoms and the aggressiveness of the pathology we can have:

Chronic periodontitis

Chronic periodontitis is the most common form of periodontal disease, and occurs much more frequently in people over the age of 45.and occurs much more frequently in people over 45 years of age. This chronic disease is characterized by inflammation of the gums inflammation of the gums and progressive destruction of gum and bone tissue.. It may appear as if the teeth are lengthening, but in reality the gums are gradually receding.

Chronic periodontitis causes an inflammatory inflammatory reaction of the tissues that support the tooth.. It causes loss of attachment and bone resorption and is classified as an infectious disease. It is most commonly diagnosed in adults, although children and adolescents can also develop it.. To evaluate its severity, we look at the percentage of affected foci (especially visible due to hemorrhage): if 30% or more are affected, it is said to be generalized and if 30% or less of the foci are affected, it is localized.

Ulcerative-necrotic periodontitis

Ulcerative-necrotic periodontitis is a very severe form, characterized by the presence of true ulcers at the gum level very severe form, characterized by the presence of true ulcers at the gum level, with necrosis of the entire supporting apparatus of the tooth.. Although rare, it occurs in young adulthood, with a higher incidence in developing countries, with risk factors such as malnutrition, lack of oral hygiene, immune depression and chronic systemic diseases.. Along with the typical symptoms, fever, enlarged cervical lymph nodes and general malaise may also occur.

Aggressive periodontitis

Aggressive periodontitis is a rare form of rare form of periodontitis which mainly affects children or the elderly; It is characterized by a fairly rapid and extensive destructive process, especially affecting incisors and molars.It is characterized by a rather rapid and extensive destructive process, especially affecting the incisors and molars.