Periodontics

The backbone of natural, restored or implanted teeth is healthy gums and bones. According to statistics, 90% of adults have gum disease of varying degrees of severity at some point in their lives, and three quarters of adults over the age of 50 suffer from a disease called periodontitis, which is a disease of the superficial and deep periodontal tissues with loss of attachment and inflammation of the gums. Periodontitis or periodontal disease can be either limited to a single tooth or generalized.
The more severe the periodontitis, the more bone is lost, with periods of remission and exacerbation, which can lead to the loss of the tooth itself. Recent research shows that periodontitis has links to various diabetics, heart disease, low birth weight of newborns and general immune system vulnerability.

Our goal is to diagnose this disease early so that you can reduce its spread and related bone loss so that you can keep your smile for a long time. Anyway, daily home care and annual visits to your dentist are essential in the prevention program that follows.

The most common cause of periodontal disease is bacterial plaque. Every day, a small invisible and sticky film is deposited on the teeth. This film is plaque, in which bacteria colonies live and multiply. Plaque also contains some food fragments and saliva. When there is a lot of plaque, it can be seen at the edge of the gums; it calcifies to form tartar if it remains stuck on the teeth.

The bacteria in the plaque produce toxins that inflame the gums, and this inflammation signals the beginning of periodontitis. If the inflammation is not controlled, the progressive destruction of the bone sets in, without any symptoms at the beginning of the disease. When a significant part of the bone has been lost, the tooth begins to be unstable, without being noticed most of the time (since there is no pain). As early as a tooth wobbles, the destruction of the surrounding bone speeds up, especially if there is also a problem with the occlusion. Eventually, deprived of a good part of the bone that supported it, the tooth becomes so unstable that it falls out or has to be extracted.

Part of our body is dependent on what we eat. Healthy, whole foods and a healthy lifestyle help keep our bodies healthy.

Negative stress is also a contributing factor to the emergence of illness. For instance, a person's resistance, which has been normal for years, can suddenly decrease for no apparent cause. Subsequently, periodontitis occurs or a previously controlled periodontitis resurfaces. It is difficult to find out why resistance varies from person to person, and why it varies from time to time in the same person. Dental research teams around the world are looking into this question. How can we manage our resistance and immune response?

Smoking is a major risk to develop severe periodontitis. Those who are moderate smokers, meaning ten or more cigarettes per day, and those who are heavy smokers are more likely than others to develop severe periodontitis (two and seven times more likely, respectively). Smoking also leads to more frequent recurrence of the disease and a slower response to treatment. It is commonly believed that this is due to the fact that smokers accumulate more bacteria under the gums than non-smokers, and there is a deficiency of vitamin C. Following surgical or non-surgical treatment, healing in these cases may be delayed.

In addition, smoking reduces tissue inflammation and bleeding, even when the tube is inserted. In such cases, periodontal pockets and severe bone loss are likely to be obscured. Smokers are more at risk than non-smokers for recurrent development of other diseases. In this respect, they should be closely monitored and receive hygiene care four times a year to help them meet the challenge of eliminating these germs.