A little bit
about
PERIODONTITIS
What is periodontitis and how can it lead to tooth loss?
Periodontitis is a chronic inflammation of the tissues that support the teeth: the gingiva (gum), the periodontal ligament, the dental cementum and the alveolar bone. If left untreated, periodontitis can eventually lead to the loss of these supporting tissues, and ultimately to tooth loss. The main cause of periodontitis is bacterial. Today, we know that it is caused by a group of bacteria that work together in what we call a dysbiotic (imbalanced) environment. In periodontitis, the immune response becomes exaggerated and uncontrolled, and this overreaction is often the main reason for the destruction of the tissues supporting your teeth. In addition, periodontitis is now considered a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and can negatively affect diabetes control. Growing evidence also suggests links between periodontitis and other systemic diseases.
Aim of the treatment:
The goal of the treatment is to restore the periodontium to a healthy condition: absence of chronic inflammation and control of the harmful bacteria. Therefore, the treatment consists of effectively disrupting the dysbiotic (imbalanced) environment by reducing the pathogenic bacteria and helping your immune system regain control and re-establish a healthy balance. Through thorough cleaning and disinfection of the tissues supporting your teeth, we help your body return to a stable and healthy condition. Healthy gums should not bleed, and the spaces between the teeth and the gums (periodontal pockets) should be 3 mm or less. These are the main signs that the treatment has been successful. The good news is that, in many cases, the supporting tissues can reattach to the teeth, and some bone healing can also occur.
What causes periodontitis?
Periodontitis can occur when gingivitis is left untreated. It is caused by plaque bacteria build-up above and below the gum line (the area where the gum meets the tooth). This can lead to the bone and tissues that support your teeth becoming irreversibly damaged. This tissue damage may lead to your gums separating from your teeth, creating tiny spaces or ‘pockets’ where more plaque can grow and infections occur. As the condition continues to worsen the bone starts to erode. If left untreated, this can eventually result in loose teeth that either fall out or must be removed by a dentist.
Don’t ignore the warning signs!!
Periodontitis is the advanced stage of gum disease. Unlike gingivitis, it cannot be reversed and often has serious, long lasting consequences for how your teeth and gums look and feel. For this reason, it is extremely important that you do not let things get this far. Spitting blood when you brush or floss your teeth, bad breath, and red or swollen gums are all early warning signs of gum disease, so do not ignore them. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should talk to your dentist or hygienist immediately. They can advise on the best course of treatment before the problem becomes too serious.
TREATMENT OF PERIODONTITIS
Learning how to clean your mouth properly
Gum disease is caused by bacteria. The first step is learning how to remove them every day.
We will show you the best way to brush your teeth and how to clean between them using interdental brushes
or floss. Mouthwash may also help.
Your daily cleaning at home is essential for the treatment to work.
Professional deep cleaning
We remove plaque and tartar from your teeth and below the gum line. Your teeth are then polished.
If the disease is advanced, this may need several visits.
Antibiotics (only sometimes)
If the infection is strong or doesn’t improve enough, antibiotics may be prescribed.
Re-check of your gums
After about 6–8 weeks, we measure your gums again to see how they are healing.
If deep pockets are still present, we may suggest further treatment.
Gum surgery (for severe cases)
When pockets are too deep to clean properly, a small surgery may be needed.
The gum is gently lifted, the roots are cleaned, and sometimes the bone is reshaped.
In some cases, special materials are used to help rebuild lost bone.
Stitches are placed and removed after 1–2 weeks.
Maintenance (very important)
Gum disease can return. To keep your gums healthy:
✔ Clean your teeth well every day
✔ Visit us regularly (usually every 3–6 months)
These maintenance visits are key to keeping your teeth for life.
Clean & Seal Protocol
Periodontitis treatment will always rely on proper mechanical debridement. That remains the foundation. However, evidence shows that adjunctive therapies can enhance clinical outcomes when used appropriately.
The combination of sodium hypochlorite and hyaluronic acid, referred to, in a recent suggested protocol, “Clean & Seal” has gained attention in periodontal therapy.
After using this protocol for almost a year and reviewing the available studies, Clean & Seal protocol appears promising in terms of clinical improvement and the avoidance of surgical interventions.
That said, bacteriological and histologic evidence is still limited, and stronger independent data are needed.
