Periodontitis is a condition of the mouth brought on by the growth of bacteria that are harmful to the mouth and cause inflammation and tissue destruction over time. If a bacterial agent is the origin of the illness, heredity, diseases, the habitat, and cleanliness will also contribute to its progression.

In dentistry, periodontitis refers to gum disease that causes a serious problem that can cause tooth loss.

This disease attacks the bone surrounding the teeth and cause inflammation if it’s left without treatment.

Gingivitis, which is an infection of the gingiva caused by bacteria found in dental plaque, is the first stage of this periodontal disease. Without harming the supporting tissues, it is contained to the surface periodontium. If left untreated, it develops into periodontitis, when the infection spreads from the periodontal pockets to deeper tissues like the alveolar bone and the periodontal ligament. This results in the permanent loss of supporting tissues and, over time, loosening of the teeth.

Symptoms:

• Redness and swelling of the gums.
• Bleeding while brushing teeth.
• Pus-filled gum abscess.
• Difficulty while chewing food.
• Bad breath.
• A rusty tongue taste.

Treatment for gum disease:

Treatment for periodontitis aims to restore damaged tissue and keep the infections under control. In addition, gingival gaps, scaling, and dental hygiene will work to get rid of bacterial reserves from the oral cavity. Surgical intervention or antibiotic therapy may be necessary for more serious cases. 

Dental scaling:

The goal of dental scaling is to remove dental plaque and tartar that have grown in the areas of the gingival and inflamed gums. 

In dental surfacing, the contaminated or infiltrated areas are removed, and the hardness that encourages deposits is polished. 

Antibiotic treatment:

Your healthcare provider may administer antibiotic medication when the periodontal pockets are deeper, particularly in patients who are at high risk for infection.

Surgery:

In some more complicated instances, the surgical method may be required.

 Performing a bone graft can occasionally be beneficial for some patients to encourage the rebuilding of the alveolar bone.

Use regenerative treatments to restore lost gum tissue and bone.

When teeth become movable, a dental retainer can be used to stabilize or maintain them during the period of consolidation. Finally, in the most severe cases, a dental extraction may be necessary.