Periodontitis: causes, symptoms and treatment

What causes periodontitis?

Gum inflammation is caused by bacteria built up in the dental plaque. Dental plaque is a combination of a soft and sticky and an almost invisible layer of saliva proteins and a high percentage of bacteria that settles on your teeth. This soft layer can turn into a hard layer, called calculus, that sticks to your teeth. On top of this hard deposit a second layer of dental plaque will be formed.

The above-mentioned inflammation can be found deep in the jawbone located around your teeth. This inflammation causes a pocket to be found between the gum and teeth. This second dental plaque will enable the inflammation to spread deeper, causing fibres that break and a receding jawbone.

Signs and symptoms of periodontitis

Periodontitis can go unnoticed for a long time. This inflammation rarely causes pain. Symptoms often do not occur or only at a late stage. In an advanced state loosening of the teeth or implants here and there and are very likely to happen.

Some symptoms that may indicate periodontitis:

• Red, swollen and painful gums
• Bleeding gums when eating or brushing teeth
• Receding gums or the appearance of pockets (or spaces) between the gum and the teeth
• Bad taste or a bad breath (halitosis)

Risks of periodontitis

Receding gums is not only undesirable but, aesthetically speaking, also very unpleasant. Roots will be partially exposed. This will result in sensitive gums and teeth which can be very painful during brushing your teeth, eating or drinking warm, cold, sweet and sour drinks. Lost jawbone can’t recover after breaking off. You must know that, once a  jawbone loses bone splinters or even bigger fragments , it is permanent.

When your gums bleed, it could mean you have a gum inflammation caused by dental plaque. In order to take care of your gum we recommend to brush at least twice a day and rinsing afterwards with mouthwash. Use specific to tools te clean the spaces between teeth (interdental cleaning). Make sure to visit an oral hygienist or dentist at least twice a year.

Maintaining good oral health care will help you curing yourself of periodontitis and preventing losing teeth. The periodontist, dentist or hygienist, will remove the dental plaque and scale in the pockets by a thorough and professional cleaning of your teeth. If your pockets are deeper than 4 mm Dr. Blijdorp advises you to rub bluem oral gel in the pocket after brushing your teeth and rinsing with mouthwash. In this way the oxygen can work optimally in the mouth. By regularly using bluem oral gel in combination with the right oral hygiene and cleaning teeth procedure, the pocket will be reduced and the inflammation will disappear in most cases.

bluem® oral gel is developed for treating Periodontitis:

• It normalises and controls harmful bacteria
• It reduces and prevents inflammation
• It accelerates the wound healing process

bluem® oral gel is a medical device. Read the instructions before usage.

How to recognize periodontitis?

To assess whether you actually have periodontitis, you best make an appointment with your dentist or dental hygienist. These professionals can measure the depth of space between tooth and gum using a pocket-depth measurement. After the measurement, the pocket status is discussed and they will advise you how to proceed. To stop the process, tartar and plaque in the deep spaces will need to be removed by a dental hygienist. In addition, performing a good daily oral care by yourself is of the utmost importance. In an advanced stage, you can be referred to a periodontist for further treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions about Periodontitis

How do i get periodontitis?

We have numerous amounts of bacteria in our mouth. These bacteria can stick to your teeth – this is called plaque. Plaque, if not removed properly, can cause an infection. If you don’t treat the infection, you teeth can eventually let loose and even fall out. Risk factors are: smoking, stress, a bad dental hygiene and/or diabetes.

How do I recognise periodontitis?

You suffer from bleeding gums and they look red and swollen. You have bad breath. Periodontitis is not always visible. A regular check-up at your dentist is our advice.

What are the consequences of periodontitis on the body?

You have a higher risk of heart problems, problems during your pregnancy and mainly on getting infections. Periodontitis can cause halitosis as well – bad breath.