Periodontal disease is a term used by dentists to describe two different ailments, called gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis involves inflammation in your gums, while periodontitis is a degenerative infection that occurs when gingivitis goes untreated. Several steps can be taken to treat or avoid these conditions. However, lemon juice is not indicated as treatment or prevention for either form of periodontal disease.
Periodontal Disease Basics
The circumstances that lead to periodontal disease begin when a bacteria-containing substance called plaque builds up on the surface of your teeth. If you don't practice good dental hygiene, plaque can linger on your teeth and harden into another substance called tartar. In combination, the bacteria in plaque and tartar can trigger the gum inflammation that characterizes gingivitis. If this inflammation is not addressed, you can eventually develop an infection that destroys gum tissue, bone and connective tissue, the result of advancing periodontitis.
Gingivitis Treatment and Prevention
Typically, you can reverse the effects of gingivitis by brushing and flossing regularly, and getting a dentist or dental hygienist to remove any accumulations of tartar, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, or NIDCR. In addition, you can prevent gingivitis from occurring in the first place by taking steps that include brushing twice daily with a fluoride-containing toothpaste, cleaning the spaces between your teeth with dental floss or an interdental cleaner, visiting your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings, limiting snacking between meals and eating a nutritionally balanced diet. You can also help prevent gingivitis by avoiding or quitting smoking.
Periodontitis Treatment and Prevention
If you have periodontitis, nonsurgical options for treatment include a procedure called scaling, which involves scraping away tartar above and below your gum line; a procedure called root planing, which involves smoothing out spots on your tooth roots where bacteria can collect; and a variety of antibiotic or antimicrobial medications used in combination with these techniques. Surgical options used to treat periodontitis include flap surgery, which involves lifting your gums and cleaning underneath them, and bone or tissue grafts used to replace tissues lost to infection and degeneration. Preventive measures used to avoid the occurrence of periodontitis are the same as those used to avoid gingivitis.
Considerations
Some people are genetically prone to periodontal disease, the NIDCR notes. If you have a tendency toward gum problems, your dentist might ask you to increase your preventive efforts by brushing and flossing after every meal, as well as at bedtime. Your dentist might also recommend that you use toothpaste specifically designed to help prevent the buildup of plaque and/or tartar. Professional cleaning is needed periodically because even the best daily care routine can fail to prevent plaque and tartar accumulation. Consult your dentist for more information on preventing and treating periodontal disease.
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