Throughout the day, as a person eats and drinks, plaque begins to form on the teeth due to sugars and starches mixing with bacteria in the mouth. Proper brushing will help remove plaque from the teeth, but the plaque can easily return. Any plaque that remains on the teeth for more than two to three days can become tartar buildup along the gumline, according to MayoClinic.com. Removing tartar buildup requires professional cleaning at a dental office. Over time, the tartar and plaque extend under the gumline and begin to irritate the gums. This irritation can cause a condition called periodontitis. Untreated, periodontitis becomes a chronic condition.
Symptoms
Chronic periodontitis causes the gums to swell and turn bright red or purple. The gums can bleed easily and recede away from the teeth, causing the teeth to appear larger. Pockets of pus can form in the gum and around the bones that hold the teeth in place. The loosened gums can cause spaces between the teeth and allow the teeth to shift around in the mouth. The shifting teeth can cause a change in how a person bites. Individuals with the condition can have bad breath and a foul taste in the mouth, due to the collection of pus. The bone erosion allows teeth to fall out and is one of the major reasons for tooth loss in adults, according to the Merck Manuals.
Diagnosis
A dentist's diagnosis of periodontitis is based on an examination of the teeth and gums. A measurement of the space between the gums and the teeth indicates the extent of the periodontitis. An X-ray of the teeth and jaw will provide evidence of the extent of bone loss.
Treatments
The goal in treating periodontitis is to reduce the inflammation of the gum tissue and to remove pockets that can trap bacteria, causing pus to form. Treatment at home includes proper oral hygiene to remove plaque from the teeth. Dental cleanings help clean the area deeper into the gumline than brushing at home. The dentist may also plane the root surfaces of the tooth to help prevent future plaque buildup, according to MayoClinic.com. Antibiotics will help treat an abscess in the mouth caused by bacteria in a pocket of the gum. Surgical treatments include grafting gum tissue for receding gums and bone grafting for regrowing the area that supports and stabilizes the teeth.
Complications
In addition to infections, tooth loss and the shifting of teeth, periodontitis can cause other serious complications due to the bacteria released from the periodontitis into the bloodstream. Possible complications include coronary heart disease, breathing problems, a stroke and poorly controlled diabetes, according to MayoClinic.com.
Prevention
Good oral hygiene is the best way to prevent periodontitis. Brushing the teeth after every meal or at least two times a day and flossing daily will help remove plaque and prevent tartar buildup. Using fluorinated toothpaste and mouth rinses will help prevent decay and strengthen teeth, according to the American Dental Association. Regular cleanings at the dentist twice each year will help remove stubborn tartar buildup and help treatment early for signs of periodontal disease.
