Periodontology / Periodontitis
Periodontitis refers to a disease of the tooth bed - and not the teeth. These can enjoy good health. Nevertheless, their days are counted, provided that nothing is done against the periodontal disease. Because with progressive disease of the tooth bed, the teeth can lose their grip and eventually fall out.
Cause and effect
The cause of the inflammatory disease, periodontitis, is not removed plaque. The in plaque contained bacteria excrete toxins. These have the unpleasant trait to work their way in between gum and tooth, causing inflammation that soon spreads to the gum and jawbone. The consequences are so-called periodontal pockets, which deepen more and more as the inflammation progresses due to loss of the jawbone and therefore are less and less easy to clean. Food particles and thus bacteria accumulate in these pockets causing tartar to form. The inflammations are thereby aggravated and the periodontal pockets further deepened. In almost every case this is accompanied by significant bad breath. This is no concern for the sick person as they cannot smell it but it is strongly unpleasant for outsiders!
The vicious circle can only be interrupted by dental treatment and intensive oral and dental care. Today it is possible to stop the disease and even to regenerate it in certain cases. Bone replacement materials, own bone and special proteins (so-called enamel matrix proteins) are used.
Afterwards it is important to avoid a relapse:
- Intensive homecare (at least 2 minutes of dental care in the morning/ evening)
- Regular professional dental cleaning (prophylaxis)
- Regular check-ups by the dentist
Pictures used with the consent of KVZ Hessen
Yours sincerely
Joint dental practice
Maria Tsiatsi and Dr. Uwe Leuschner