How to Boost Healing of Periodontitis

Filed Under (Health, dental care) by admin on 21-12-2011

Periodontitis is the advanced stage of periodontal disease and is often associated with the widening of gaps between gums and teeth, halitosis, painful, inflamed and receding gums.  If left untreated, it could result to tooth loss as well as a host of other health complications.  A trip to dentist can help you determine the best remedy for periodontitis, depending on the severity of the infection on your gums.  However, you can do your share in promoting the healing process of your gum infection and prevent re-infection.  These all-natural tips can help boost the healing and regeneration of gum tissues as well as prevent the gum disease from coming back.

Cranberry juice can be both a preventive measure as well as a healing agent for gum diseases such as gingivitis and periodintitis.  Recent studies show that cranberry juice help prevent bacteria from sticking on teeth, a major factor in gum infection.  The recommended amount of drinking cranberry juice is about 4 ounces a day.  However, it is important that you consult first with your doctor before you take cranberry products especially if you have kidney stones or if you are taking warfarin as it increases the blood thinning capabilities of the latter.  Otherwise, you can substitute this with lemon juice as it also has antiseptic qualities.

Apart from cranberry and lemon juice, there are other herbs and essential oils which you can use as part of your periodontitis treatment regimen.  For starters, you can use tea tree oil or clove oil as both have antiseptic qualities which can fight off bacteria.  Unless your dentist prescribed antibiotics or medicated mouthwash or toothpaste, you can opt for topical clove oil or tea tree oil gel, or replace your toothpaste with one that contains tea tree oil.  You can also replace your mouthwash with a mixture of sea salt and sage tea as these can tighten your gums and reduce swelling and inflammation.

Most importantly, maintaining a good oral hygiene ritual in conjunction with your periodontal disease treatment can not only boost healing of gum tissues but also prevent re-infection by averting the formation of plaque and tartar on teeth, one of the leading causes of periodontal diseases.  A change of lifestyle is also necessary in order to promote dental and periodontal health.  Quitting smoking (or at least cutting back a few sticks) and drinking as well as avoiding stress can help improve your immune system which is necessary to help you combat bacterial infection.  It is also essential to cut back on sweets as this could promote bacterial growth on teeth and gums.

Several Treatment Options for Periodontal Disease

Filed Under (Uncategorized) by admin on 16-06-2011

Periodontal disease is a gum disease affecting the periodontal tissues including the alveolar bone, cementum, periodontal ligament, and gum line. It is classified into two categories which is gingivitis, the milder form and periodontitis, which is the more advanced type of gum disease. These are common diseases affecting a large number of people throughout the country. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the bone supporting the teeth and can cause destruction of the tissues. In severe case, the teeth will need to be extracted.

There are several treatment options for periodontal disease including regenerative and surgical procedures. Surgery is the last option used when the regenerative procedures will not anymore work. The periodontal disease treatment is utilized to remove bacteria causing the infection. Early stages of the disease can be effectively treated with the use of antibiotics. While the treatment is ongoing, it is important to practice proper oral hygiene. Maintaining good oral hygiene should have been enough had the disease been detected earlier.

The two most common procedures for treating periodontal disease are root planing and scaling. Scaling is done to take away the layer of plaque on the surface of the teeth by mechanical scraping. Ultrasonic instruments are used to remove the hardened plaque layer. Root planing is then followed to make the surface of the teeth smoother to avoid plaque buildup.

Depending on the severity of the disease, the treatment procedure for the gum disease will vary. Moderate periodontal disease will require scaling and root planing with the addition of medications such as antibiotics. For severe infections, more visits are required where the average visit to be completed is about 4 times. For extreme cases of periodontal disease, loss of bony tissue can be seen due to the spread of infection. When there is extensive damage of bone tissue, bone grafting may be done.

Cures for periodontal disease include maintenance of proper oral hygiene. This is the most essential part of the treatment procedure as it involves routine habits of cleaning the teeth and gums. Regular brushing of the teeth must be done at least twice or three times daily. Flossing follows after brushing but must be done once daily preferably before bedtime to take away hard to remove food particles lodged in the crevices between the teeth. Regular visits to the dentist must also be done once every six months. If there are symptoms of the disease, going to the dentist once in three months must be completed for re-evaluation. Scheduled professional cleaning of the teeth is accomplished to prevent re-growing of bacteria and make the different treatment options more successful.