Gum disease in children and adults: treatment with folk remedies. Diseases of teeth and gums Bad gums

A beautiful and healthy smile is not only about white teeth. The secret lies much deeper and is hidden in our gums, diseases of which are quite common in adults, but their negative consequences are very often underestimated by them, because in most cases they are the cause of tooth loss.

The cause of the disease is poor hygiene, which leads to inflammatory processes, as well as genetic predisposition and systematic diseases, such as diabetes.

Many patients ask what gum disease is called and what the consequences of its manifestations may be. To answer this question, you need to understand a little terminology.

The gum is one of the tissues that, together with the periosteum, periodontitis, tooth and alveolar bone process, creates the so-called periodontal root. Between this tissue and the root there is a narrow gap - a gum pocket, which indicates the health of the oral cavity. In relation to the teeth, the gums play a protective role; in a healthy state, they are bright pink in color and fit tightly, without exposing part of the root.

Gum diseases, photos of which can be seen below, are one of the groups of periodontal diseases. At the beginning of the disease, inflammation affects only the gum tissue - this stage is called gingivitis.

When the process extends to the supporting alveolar bones that support and surround the tooth, the condition is called periodontitis. When displacement or mobility occurs and loss due to damage to the gums and bone fibers, the condition is called periodontal disease.

Such pathologies can occur at any age, but most often occur in adults.

Read more about gum disease

Causes of gum disease

Various bacteria are constantly present in the oral cavity, which, in combination with saliva and food debris, form the so-called plaque. It remains on the teeth and along the gum line. This is the main cause of gum disease. Bacterial plaque is a whitish substance that settles on teeth, especially at the junction between the teeth and gums.

During hygiene, it is removed, but if this is done poorly or in insufficient quantities, toxins released by bacteria cause inflammation of the gums. In just 3-4 days of neglecting thorough cleaning, you can get gingivitis. If the disease is not treated, the infection spreads to the periodontium, the tissue surrounding the teeth that holds them in the jawbone.

Inflammation of the gums is possible after mechanical damage, for example, when chewing hard food, which leads to too much friction. The disease will not develop if you brush your teeth thoroughly after every meal.

Frequent vomiting means there is an excess amount of acid in the mouth, and this leads to digestion of the mucous membrane and the formation of pits, in which case the gums can become weak and irritated.

Grinding habits (bruxism) and injuries caused by toothbrushing also contribute to inflammation.

Other common causes of gum disease include:

Symptoms of gum disease

Very often, gum disease occurs without symptoms. The most characteristic sign is bleeding, mainly during brushing, but it can also occur spontaneously or under the pressure of the tongue.

As a rule, the gums become red, swollen, and sometimes begin to hurt. The growing disorder is often accompanied by symptoms such as bad breath and hypersensitivity to cold or hot.

Gradually, the gum line decreases; in later stages, when the infection penetrates into the periodontium, purulent discharge appears, which can also create symptoms in the form of abscesses on the gums.

It is necessary to worry about the occurrence of the disease in the following cases:

Treating gum disease at home

The gum treatment plan is determined individually for each patient. The main element of the success of therapy is the cooperation between the doctor and the patient. The choice of therapeutic methods depends on the severity of gum disease, the cause and the age of the patient.

Treatment of gums at home consists of symptomatic therapy, administration of analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs and cleaning of tartar. It should, however, be remembered that the best cure for gum disease is, first of all, prevention.

The dentist will first start by teaching hygiene rules, which is very important for maintaining results at home. Sometimes during inflammatory processes it is necessary to take medications and antibiotics, which are prescribed by the doctor for the treatment of gums.

If there is no improvement, the specialist may send you for a general blood test to determine the cause of gingivitis - systemic diseases, lack of vitamins or mineral deficiency. If these suspicions are not confirmed, the dentist must check for the presence of traumatic nodes that form strong pressure on individual teeth, thereby causing damage.

At the first signs of inflammation, you should consult a doctor for qualified medical help. Along with its prescriptions, for preventive purposes, you can use remedies at home in the form of tinctures of plant extracts that have anti-inflammatory and astringent properties on the oral mucosa:

Preventing gum disease at home

It is necessary to regularly check the condition of your teeth with a dentist - such visits should take place every six months. In addition, it is important to incorporate all elements of your daily oral hygiene routine with products that specialize in gum care.

Teeth should be brushed twice a day for two minutes, using a gentle technique and massaging the gums, improving their blood circulation. You should change your toothbrush every three months or more often.

It is also recommended to rinse with an antibacterial mouth rinse, most of which include a substance known as chlorhexidine gluconate. Some liquids contain important oils such as menthol, thymol, eucalyptus, which also have antiseptic properties. Adding zinc helps prevent stone formation.

To reduce the risk of diseases, it is necessary to take care of a suitable diet full of nutrients. You should quit smoking, drink less coffee and alcohol, and lead an appropriate healthy lifestyle.

The most vulnerable part of the oral cavity is the gums. Bad breath, changed color and structure of the mucous membrane, bleeding - all these are signs of their unfavorable condition. Both older and younger people can experience gum pain. The disease usually begins with a mild form of inflammation, which without timely treatment can lead to more serious consequences. That is why it is necessary to know the symptoms of gum disease in order to consult a doctor in time and begin treatment.

Causes of gum disease

Overwhelmingly The causes of gum disease are:

• improper and irregular oral hygiene;
• stressful situations;
• hormonal changes;
• genetic predisposition;
• age-related changes in the body;
• fungal diseases and viral infections;
• stressful situations;
• taking certain medications;
• pregnancy;
• diabetes.

Diseases can also be caused by bacteria that accumulate in the form of stone on the lower part of the teeth. Regular visits to the dentist and professional enamel cleaning will help get rid of stones, and therefore bacteria.

Main symptoms

Problems with gums have more than half of the adult population. The main symptom of the pathology is pain. However, at the initial stage of gingivitis, discomfort and pain are practically not felt. Therefore, you should focus not only on the presence of pain, but also on other symptoms:

• bad breath;
• increased sensitivity of teeth;
• red, swollen gums and bleeding.

With regular oral examinations and visits to the dental clinic pathology can be detected at an early stage and begin timely treatment.

Gingivitis

Translated from Latin, gingivitis is inflammation of the gums. This disease does not affect deep-lying tissues. Only the area adjacent to the tooth, that is, the marginal gum, is affected.

According to the type of inflammation they distinguish the following types of gingivitis:

The disease can occur in acute and chronic form. Depending on the extent of its spread, gingivitis can affect a localized area of ​​one to three teeth or the entire gum.

The main cause of the pathology is poor oral hygiene, in which soft plaque accumulates on the enamel. Inflammatory bacteria multiply in it.

Other causes of gingivitis may include:

• food constantly getting stuck between teeth;
• traumatization by hard foods or a toothbrush;
• a recently placed filling or crown;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• cardiovascular diseases;
• blood diseases;
• lack of vitamins E, C, B1, A in the body;
• hormonal disorders in pregnant women and adolescents;
• chronic poisoning with bromine, iodine, mercury, aluminum, bismuth, lead;
• decreased immunity.

Symptoms of the disease

The main symptom is redness and swelling of the gum area. It may be painful and bleed when you eat or brush your teeth. There may be cyanosis, an unpleasant odor, and changes in shape due to swelling.

Treatment of gingivitis

In the initial stages of the disease, you can use folk remedies, in the form of rinsing your mouth with anti-inflammatory herbs and antiseptics of plant origin. Such procedures will help relieve some symptoms, but will not deal with the cause of the disease.

Therefore, it is necessary to consult a doctor, who must first determine the cause of gingivitis. Treatment of pathology is carried out using the following actions:

1. Removing accumulated deposits from under the gums and from tooth enamel.
2. Treatment of the oral cavity with special preparations - antiseptics.
3. Prescribing applications or rinsing with antiseptic drugs at home.
4. Anti-inflammatory therapy in the form of applying gels to painful areas.

Such measures are often sufficient to treat gingivitis. In the absence of traumatic factors, compliance with all doctor’s recommendations and normal oral hygiene the disease passes quickly, and the gums are restored. In advanced cases, the dentist may prescribe vacuum massage, ultraviolet therapy, and electrophoresis.

Periodontitis

Periodontitis is a disease in which inflammation occurs not only of the periodontal tissues, but also of the ligamentous apparatus. In advanced cases, inflammation affects bone tissue. Periodontitis is a consequence of untreated gingivitis.

A distinctive sign of the disease is the formation of hard tartar, which can secrete pus. Other symptoms of inflammation include:

• unpleasant odor from the mouth;
• holes between teeth and gums;
• severe pain;
• loosening, and subsequently displacement of teeth;
• bleeding gums;
• exposed dental necks;
• in the later stages – pain when biting on mobile teeth.

If an infection gets into an inflamed tooth pocket, gumboil may develop.

In addition to dental plaque and gingivitis, they lead to the development of periodontitis some common diseases:

• severe forms of chronic pathologies of internal organs;
• blood diseases;
• immunodeficiencies;
• diabetes.

Inflammation can develop due to abnormal position or crowding of teeth, traumatic bite, hypertonicity of the masticatory muscles, high attachment of the frenulum.

Degrees of periodontitis

According to the severity of inflammation divided into three forms:

Treatment

For any form of severity, treatment of periodontitis must be comprehensive. It is much more difficult to treat than gingivitis, and can only be cured in the initial stages. Once the bone has already partially dissolved, it is almost impossible to return it. Even bone tissue transplantation does not provide stable results.

Stages of periodontitis treatment:

1. Tartar removal. The procedure must be carried out at least once every six months. In some cases, cleaning is recommended every two to three months. This frequency of the procedure is explained by the fact that the stone grows quickly, and it is impossible to clean it out of deep tooth pockets with a simple brush. As a result, pathogenic microbes develop in it.
2. Oral hygiene. Since the main cause of the disease is microorganisms, this stage in treatment is very important. At home, after each meal, you should thoroughly brush your teeth and rinse your mouth. Toothpastes and rinses are selected individually. You should definitely use dental floss, and if there are large gaps between the teeth and exposed roots, use brushes. It is recommended to use a device for rinsing pockets with water, called an irrigator.
3. Antiseptic treatment. The optimal procedure is selected individually. In the initial stages, you can get by with rinses and ointments at home, and electrophoresis with the application of bandages with antiseptics. Currently, there are drugs that have a long-term antiseptic effect on the dental pocket. They are gelatin scales, which, when placed in the periodontal pocket, swell and prevent microbes from entering it. At the same time, the antiseptic begins to be released. The effect of this drug is up to three weeks. However, it is quite expensive.
4. Anti-inflammatory therapy. It is also prescribed individually, and depends on the form of severity. Some patients are prescribed ointment on the gums, others are prescribed physiotherapy or bandages.
5. Alleviation of the exacerbation stage. In this case, antibiotics, vitamins, immunostimulants, and antihistamines are prescribed.

As the disease progresses, it may be necessary ultrasonic cleaning and surgical intervention in the form of curettage. During such an operation, an incision is made on the gum and, with special instruments, the bones and the surface of the roots of the teeth are cleaned of stone and damaged areas. If necessary, artificial bone is added.

Periodontal disease

Periodontal disease is not an inflammatory disease. This is a rare pathology in which the patient’s periodontal tissue is affected. For periodontal disease of the gums do not redden, swell or bleed. There are also no periodontal pockets. A person feels awkward and unpleasant while brushing his teeth, eating, and when cold or hot comes into contact with his teeth.

With periodontal disease, bone tissue is destroyed, which leads first to loosening and then to tooth loss.

The causes of the disease are still not fully understood. The occurrence of dystrophic disease is associated with the following factors:

• old age;
• lack of certain vitamins in the body;
• abnormal position of teeth;
• bad habits (alcoholism, smoking);
• heredity;
• hormonal imbalances;
• sclerosis of blood vessels, in which their lumen decreases and the gums receive less nutrition;
• chronic diseases of internal organs;
• hormonal disorders.

Treatment of periodontal disease

A developing disease should be treated comprehensively. The doctor identifies the cause of its occurrence and prescribes individual treatment.

First of all, professional treatment of the oral cavity is carried out, incorrectly positioned teeth are aligned, and malocclusion is eliminated.

Physiotherapy is prescribed to improve blood circulation. This could be a massage in the periodontal area using mint or coriander oils, electrophoresis, etc.

At home, various mouth rinses are used to alleviate the condition. It could be immortelle, propolis, calendula. Vitamins and esters, hormonal and antibacterial agents are prescribed.

If your teeth have already begun to fall out, then dentures are inserted or bypass surgery is prescribed. In difficult cases, bone tissue is augmented through surgery.

It is better to prevent any disease than to treat it. Therefore, to avoid problems with your gums, you need to carefully monitor your oral cavity and regularly visit the dental clinic for preventive examinations and cleaning of plaque. At the first symptoms of gum inflammation, you should consult a specialist - a dentist or periodontist. The doctor will prescribe individual treatment and monitor its progress.

Many people are too concerned about the beauty of their teeth, overlooking an equally important, but insidious and dangerous problem - gum disease. Although dentists have long proven that among the pathologies of the oral cavity they seriously compete with carious lesions.

According to medical statistics, in 50% of cases of tooth loss, the problems were caused by gum disease in adult patients. It is necessary to consider which gum problems are the most common, by what signs they can be recognized in time, and also talk about existing treatment methods.

What are gum pathologies?

Depending on where exactly the inflammation is localized, gum disease may belong to one of several groups, within which there are several varieties of each pathology.

Gingivitis

So, this is called a point inflammation of the soft tissue of the gums around one specific molar. The pathology has acute and chronic forms and several varieties - atrophic, ulcerative-necrotic, catarrhal and hypertrophic. Regardless of how severely the gums become inflamed, the process does not directly affect or destroy dental tissue, so treatment of this pathology does not pose a problem. It is important to notice the symptoms of the disease in time and begin therapy, otherwise gingivitis is fraught with the development of periodontitis.

Periodontitis

This disease is manifested by the destruction of the supporting dental apparatus, causing the gum tissue to gradually move away from the molar, exposing its neck. Bacterial plaque accumulates inside the formed pocket and an infection develops; these processes are provoked by food debris getting stuck inside.

There is soreness of the gums, their bleeding and swelling. The pus accumulated in the periodontal pockets comes out; if pressure is applied to this area, the teeth gradually become loose and fall out if treatment is not taken. The acute phase of the pathology is manifested by fever, malaise, nausea, and chronic fatigue.

Periodontal disease

This disease becomes the next stage after periodontitis if its treatment is not started in time. Here, too, the damage to the supporting part of the tooth continues, but the process is accompanied by a disruption of the blood supply to the soft tissues of the gums. The gaps between the molars increase, and the root collars become completely exposed. With periodontal disease, one gum rarely suffers; usually the process affects two jaws at once.

The gums don't swell or become red, they just slowly erode. If you ignore the signs of disease, you can even lose healthy teeth.

A person’s teeth and gums are closely related to each other, so problems with one structure lead to the development of diseases of the second

For each of the described pathologies, a risk group for its development is identified. For example, children, adolescents and women during pregnancy are more susceptible to gingivitis due to sudden hormonal changes in the body. Periodontitis is more common in adult patients, and periodontal disease mainly affects older people.

You can see what the signs of the listed pathologies look like in the photos posted on dental websites. The older a person is, the greater the disturbance of metabolic processes in the tissues and cells of the body, including the gums. However, each of the pathologies is often provoked by reasons that are not related only to the patient’s age.

Causes of diseases

The causes of gum disease are often hidden in improper and irregular oral care. If a person is not used to brushing his teeth twice a day, using rinses and dental floss after meals, he independently creates a favorable environment in the mouth for the growth of bacteria. Due to the active growth and reproduction of microorganisms, soft plaque turns into hard, yellow-brown tartar.

The gums weaken and become inflamed, and infectious processes occur in the oral cavity, leading to gingivitis. The situation is aggravated by hormonal imbalances in the body, which are observed in women and adolescents; the pathology also more often manifests itself in people with uneven fillings, installed braces and dentures as a result of injuries, burns and damage to the mucous membrane.

If you do not take care of the gums at this stage, inflammation begins to spread to the surrounding periodontal tissues. Thus, periodontitis appears - chronic inflammation of tissues, which is a consequence of gingivitis, which a person did not want to cure in time. The risk group for the development of pathology includes patients with malocclusion that interferes with the natural cleaning of molars. Also, problems with gums are caused by a lack of vitamins of groups A, C, E, P, K, D and the entire group B.

Periodontal disease has its own stages and causes - it begins with deterioration of blood circulation in the gum tissue, then aggravated by loosening of teeth and the inflammatory process, ending with the loss of healthy molars. The situation is more complicated in patients with diabetes mellitus, heart and vascular diseases, and pathologies of the stomach and intestines. Dentists also say that periodontal disease is often caused by heredity.

Healthy teeth and gums must be preserved, since these structures are very sensitive to the condition of the body as a whole. Bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microorganisms attack a person every day, and with weak immunity and chronic diseases, not only internal organs, but also the oral cavity suffer.

Symptoms

What types of gum diseases exist and for what reasons they arise is now clear. It remains to figure out how to understand in time why the gums hurt, a sign of what pathology it could be, and whether such a condition is considered normal.

In the initial stages of gum pathology, there are practically no symptoms - a person sometimes notices a small amount of blood while brushing his teeth, but does not attach any importance to it

Then, blood discharge appears during meals, and a person’s mouth begins to smell unpleasant - all these are signs of developing gingivitis, and if gum disease is not treated on time, obvious symptoms will appear. These include intense bleeding, exposure of the root necks of the teeth, painful reactions to cold, hot and sweet foods, the formation of gum pockets with the accumulation of bacterial plaque.

Further, when a sufficient amount of plaque accumulates in the pockets, it begins to harden, and it will no longer be possible to remove it on your own. The visible part of the molar crowns becomes longer, they themselves begin to move and tilt - if no action is taken at this stage, the teeth begin to fall out. When periodontitis enters the acute phase, a person’s general condition deteriorates sharply - the temperature rises, the gums look swollen and hyperemic, and purulent contents are released from them. The tooth near the affected area hurts and becomes mobile.

With periodontal disease, such symptoms are not observed for a long time, and the teeth remain stable until the last moment. The disease does not affect your well-being in any way, progressing evenly and almost unnoticeably. Gradually, the gums recede, which gives the teeth a wedge-shaped shape, the enamel changes color and becomes covered with erosion. It is impossible to independently diagnose periodontal disease without a medical examination and x-ray examination.

Symptoms of gum disease in children are pronounced - the child’s temperature rises, he feels weak, and loses his appetite. With stomatitis and gingivitis, painful pustules appear on the surface of the mucous membrane. However, parents immediately notice these signs and begin adequate treatment under the supervision of a doctor, so there cannot be dangerous gum pathologies among children, also due to age and the absence of chronic diseases.

Treatment options

What gum diseases there are became clear, as well as their causes and symptoms. What to do and how to treat the existing pathologies will be decided only by the doctor, since self-therapy with the help of folk recipes can only be effective for prevention or as a supplement to the main therapy. In cases where the symptoms of the disease are visible to the naked eye, self-medication tactics will only waste time and lead to the progression of problems.

The treatment procedures that the doctor chooses depend on the cause, type of disease and its stage. The range of dental care today is quite wide - from professional teeth cleaning to surgical intervention.

Professional cleaning

This procedure allows you to clean your teeth from hard deposits and microbial film. If previously scraping was carried out manually, now hardware methods are increasingly used - ultrasound, laser and sandblasting. For ultrasonic cleaning, the device is equipped with a special tip that creates a vibration wave. During the process, a stream of water is applied to it so that the tip does not overheat and cause a burn to the mucous membrane.

After the procedure is completed, the surface of the teeth is polished and a layer of gel with an antimicrobial effect is applied to them.

Sandblasting is indicated for patients with mild bacterial plaque on the teeth and gums, and also, if necessary, to get rid of coloring pigment. Cleaning the surface of molars, polishing and whitening is achieved through high pressure, under which a mixture of water and small dispersed particles is supplied. This technique is contraindicated in acute inflammatory processes of the gums, bronchitis and bronchial asthma.

Hardware treatment

The most popular procedures in the field of periodontology are the procedures for cleaning periodontal pockets using devices. The devices allow you to get rid of various pathologies accompanied by hard dental deposits; they polish and grind the surface of molars and cervical areas. They are also capable of processing non-metallic prostheses, which greatly facilitates their operation. Hardware techniques are very effective for the treatment of periodontitis and gingivitis.

Anti-inflammatory treatment

In order to relieve gum inflammation, reduce swelling and eliminate redness, dentists prescribe ointments that have an antimicrobial effect:

• Metrogil Denta;
• Cholisal gel;
• Kamistad gel;
• Asepta;
• Solcoseryl.

These drugs are indicated for mild inflammatory processes, for example, gingivitis, since penetrating into the tissues of the mucous membrane, they do not touch bone structures. Therefore, in case of serious periodontal diseases, such gels have only a hygienic purpose. If the root cause of periodontitis and periodontal disease is not identified and eliminated, the inflammation will recur again and again.

Antiseptics for the treatment of gum diseases

For gum diseases accompanied by stomatitis and other symptoms of bacterial infections, dentists recommend Actovegin ointment - it helps eliminate microbial flora and tighten scars and ulcerative formations.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy methods are used in dentistry for the treatment of acute periodontal diseases or in the treatment of chronic periodontal disease, as additional methods. Today, several types of procedures are considered the most popular and effective:

• Electrophoresis - medications are injected into the affected gum area by applying direct current. In the treatment of periodontal disease, electrophoresis is indicated at the recovery stage, when the cause of the disease has already been identified and the main therapy has been carried out. Medical practice confirms that the most effective drugs for gum disease are ascorbic and nicotinic acids - they accumulate in cellular tissue, gradually restoring the strength of blood vessels, reducing signs of oxygen starvation and restoring the mucous membrane. Procedures with aloe extract, saline solution and zinc sulfate in 3% concentration are also effective.
• Darsonvalization– exposure to alternating high-frequency current and low-intensity current allows you to reduce the sensitivity of mucous tissue and normalize its blood supply. The procedure is indicated in the absence of accumulations of pus in periodontal pockets.
• Gum massage is carried out both manually and with hardware. During the massaging process, blood circulation in the gums is improved, metabolic processes and cell nutrition are improved. The procedure does not help to completely cure periodontal disease, but it is a good help in compensating for the disease.
• Vacuum therapy– during the procedure, a special pump equipped with a tube ruptures the capillaries located on the surface of the gums, forming a hematoma. This helps to activate the body’s defenses for its resorption, receiving additional nutrition for periodontal cells, as a result, tissue atrophy stops.

The number and duration of physical therapy sessions is determined by the attending physician. Procedures such as gum massage and electrophoresis are indicated not only during treatment, but also at the stage of subsequent prevention of gum disease.

Curettage of periodontal pockets

This procedure is based on scraping out from the cavity of periodontal pockets accumulations of hard and soft deposits, as well as tissues that have been modified under the influence of inflammation. There are two types of procedure:

• closed curettage - performed when the depth of the pockets does not exceed 5 mm, the patient is prescribed local anesthesia;
• closed curettage – recommended for patients with complex pathologies, when it is necessary to cut the gum tissue to gain access to the altered root area of ​​the tooth.

Curettage of gum pockets - before and after

Curettage allows in difficult cases to reduce the size of gum pockets to 4 mm, and in the initial stages - to get rid of them completely. To maintain healthy gums in the future, it is recommended that the patient cleanse the pockets of microbial plaque at least once every 12–24 months.

Surgery

The intervention of a maxillofacial surgeon is provided in cases where antibiotic therapy, curettage, cleaning and physical treatment have not brought positive results. The doctor decides to perform an operation in order to stop the process of destruction and prevent the loss of healthy teeth. One common method is to implant healthy gum epithelial tissue into the area where the gum has been destroyed.

A special membrane is placed between the gum and bone tissues, stimulating the restoration of muscle tissue and bone regeneration. To remove periodontal pockets that are too deep, the gingival margin is excised, where the greatest accumulation of hard plaque occurs - a procedure called gingivectomy. Also, maxillofacial surgeons widely practice flap operations, which, in essence, resemble open curettage, the only difference being the depth of penetration.

Surgery is not a panacea for periodontal diseases, but an emergency measure to stop tissue destruction at the moment. After the intervention, the patient is prescribed treatment and careful attention to the health of the gums. It is recommended that he visit the dentist at least once every 3 months.

Splinting

During splinting, rigid removable or permanent frames are placed that will hold the teeth as still as possible. Even if the dentition moves, it will only move in one direction, and not in different directions. Removable splints are much preferable, since the patient will be able to carry out full hygiene procedures and receive therapeutic treatment. However, they can only be installed in cases where only 3–4 molars in a row are missing.

The procedure is recommended for patients suffering from advanced stages of periodontitis, as well as periodontal disease, with signs of severe loosening and loss of several teeth

If the entire row falls out, non-removable structures are installed - they also have a great advantage; when chewing or biting hard food, the load is distributed evenly. The use of dental splints does not affect the quality of sound pronunciation, does not cause discomfort during conversation, eating and sleeping, and also does not cause aesthetic disadvantages.

If the patient suffers from periodontitis with inflammation, treatment is indicated before installing a splint.

Implantation

This procedure is considered the only one possible to preserve the gingival contour and stop the atrophy of gum tissue if the patient suffers from advanced forms of periodontitis and periodontal disease. To hold the implant in place, a periodontal ligament is not needed; during the procedure, the stability of the bite is restored and the chewing load is regulated, which allows normalizing metabolic processes in bone tissue.

Preventive actions

Prevention of gum disease should not begin only when the patient has undergone surgery; it must be timely and prevent the transition of periodontal pathologies to severe forms. To prevent gum disease you need to:

• brush your teeth regularly, using a toothbrush of the required hardness, use mouthwash and dental floss after meals (if the patient does not know what to choose, the dentist will always come to the rescue);
• eat right, limit the consumption of flour, fried, sweet and spicy foods, introduce more vegetables, fruits, proteins into the diet;
• quit smoking - under the influence of nicotine, the vessels located in the gums narrow, which leads to impaired blood supply and the development of periodontal disease;
• use antibacterial rinses and gels if the first signs of gum damage are noticeable - they will remove microbial flora where a toothbrush cannot;
• visit the dental office at least once every 6 months.

It must be remembered that the prevention of periodontal diseases, as well as timely access to a doctor for treatment, is in the hands of the patient himself.

It is sometimes impossible to restore severely damaged tissue; the dentist can only temporarily stop the atrophy process. Therefore, you should not be negligent about your own health in order to regret it later. Gum diseases do not appear instantly; many of them take years to develop, as is the case with periodontal disease.

If the pathology is not accompanied by severe inflammation, a person may simply not notice it, which increases the period of development of the disease several times (some diseases last up to 15 years practically asymptomatically). Therefore, it is necessary to visit the dentist regularly, even if it seems that there are no problems with the gums - the doctor will see what an ordinary person cannot see with the naked eye, and will take action in time by prescribing the necessary treatment.

Problems with gums often cause no less discomfort than a bad tooth. Sometimes this condition can be very dangerous for the entire body. In this case, a consultation with a periodontist is always necessary.

How to treat gum inflammation, how can you find out and eliminate the cause of such a pathological condition? Similar questions are covered in our article.

In order for the treatment of inflamed gums to bring tangible and lasting results, it is necessary to identify the source of the disease. This way you can immediately solve the problem without eliminating only the symptoms of the disease. The choice of one method or another largely depends on how difficult this condition is for a person to tolerate.

Causes of gum tissue inflammation include:

• periodontitis or gingivitis;
• pathological processes in the tissues near the first and second teeth caused by periodontitis;
• incorrectly placed bridges or prostheses.

The development of gingivitis is accompanied by symptoms such as gum hyperemia, bleeding, and redness.

Gingivitis before and after treatment

Periodontitis and gingivitis are characterized by extensive inflammation of the soft tissues of the gums. In this case, all teeth may be affected. If the cause of the pathology is the overhanging edge of the filling material or a cyst at the apex of the tooth root, then the inflammatory process spreads only to one area of ​​the jaw.

Etiology and symptoms of gum disease

If a person does not follow the rules of hygiene and does not brush his teeth every time after eating, loose plaque accumulates on the enamel. Sometimes tartar forms. These are prerequisites for the development of gum disease. Microbes in the mouth cause gingivitis. Inflammation develops in the soft periodontal tissues.

Symptoms of gum inflammation

The gums begin to hurt and bleed.

Gingivitis is an uncomplicated, first stage of the inflammatory process. If treatment is not started in time, the condition may worsen

At the next stage of the disease - periodontitis, tooth mobility is detected. The doctor can determine the presence of periodontal canals and suppuration. Sometimes patients experience visible damage in which the roots of the teeth are visible. These are alarming signs confirming severe inflammation of the gums. Treatment in this case should be comprehensive and professional.

Treatment methods

Every person needs to remember that when the first symptoms of periodontitis appear, they should immediately contact a dentist. The doctor will tell you how to treat gum inflammation in the most effective way, eliminating not only the external signs, but also the very cause of the disease.

Since inflammation is most often caused by bacterial plaque, the dentist will remove the accumulation of harmful microorganisms using ultrasound, and then prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs.

Ultrasound cleaning of dental plaque

To prevent the disease from occurring again, it is necessary to properly brush your teeth and maintain oral hygiene.

Features of the treatment of gingivitis and periodontitis

Gingivitis generally occurs without serious complications. With this disease, only the superficial layers of gum tissue become inflamed. In this case, your dentist will tell you what and how to relieve gum inflammation. Sometimes it is enough to eliminate tartar, bacterial deposits and undergo a course of high-quality anti-inflammatory therapy. You can complete the treatment at home, however, you must first remove bacterial deposits or plaques from the enamel in the dental office.

If there is a threat of periodontitis, anti-inflammatory procedures alone will not help. To avoid recurrence of inflammation, as well as to preserve loose teeth, special orthodontic devices are used - splints. The rigid design allows you to strengthen the teeth in one row.

Teeth splinting procedure

Sometimes patients are additionally prescribed antibiotics. In advanced cases, surgery is recommended.

Medicines for gum inflammation

After the dentist removes bacterial deposits from the enamel and tartar, at the next stage patients are prescribed medications for inflammation. These medications usually need to be taken for at least 10 days. Additionally, doctors may prescribe solutions for rinsing with an antiseptic. For this, chlorhexidine is usually used. Compresses with special gels (for example, Cholisal) are possible.

Dental gel Cholisal

If the gums are severely inflamed, treatment with antibiotics without prior consultation with a dentist is unacceptable. Tablets, as a rule, need to be taken only for complicated forms of the disease. Doctors usually prescribe such medications after surgery to remove tartar and plaque using ultrasound equipment. If the patient does not take medication, one should not expect a positive effect from the treatment.

Cases of gum injury when installing fillings

Sometimes, due to an incorrectly selected filling or bridge, when a structure that is too large injures the soft tissue, gum inflammation can develop. How to treat the consequences of such injuries? Usually in this case, the pathological process covers only a small area of ​​​​the gum in the place where the filling was applied.

It happens that the doctor leaves an overhanging edge of the filling material during the treatment of contact caries. In such cases, carious cavities are located not on the visible surface of the teeth, but between them.

Overhanging fillings can cause inflammation of periodontal tissues

A filling in the interdental space, if installed incorrectly, can touch and injure the gingival papilla and form a kind of pocket. This causes pieces of food to accumulate in the resulting cavity. They, in turn, provoke gum inflammation. Treatment, symptoms, photos illustrating this condition can be studied on our website.

In the case of a filling overhanging the gum, it is necessary to cut off the excess material or redo the structure, adjusting it to size

Similar situations sometimes arise when installing crowns, bridges and various prostheses. The edges of orthodontic appliances that are not made correctly can injure soft tissue. Before treating inflamed gums with various medications in this case, seek help from a professional. If the prosthesis was made and installed incorrectly, only replacing the old structure with a new one will solve the problem.

Signs and methods of treating periodontitis

The main symptoms of this disease are as follows:

• swelling of the gums or cheeks;
• suppuration in the gums;
• fistula formation with pus discharge.

With periodontitis, a cyst forms on top of the root of the diseased tooth - a space-occupying formation. The cyst fills with pus and causes the gums to swell. In this case, swelling may be episodic. He disappears and appears again

Cyst on the gum near the tooth

The main causes of periodontitis include:

• caries, inflammation of the neurovascular bundle or pulp;
• dental errors when filling canals in the root of a tooth, poor-quality prosthetics.

Treatment methods depending on gum disease

To understand how to treat gums if they are inflamed, it is necessary to find out the cause of the disease. To exclude serious complications, an x-ray and a consultation with a dentist are necessary.

If the inflammation is caused by a carious tooth or crown, the doctor will notice this and prescribe appropriate treatment. The image will show all the pathological processes occurring in the bone tissue in the root area. In addition, a specialist, after looking at the x-ray, will be able to assess how the canals are sealed, if such manipulations were previously performed.

If you have periodontitis, you need to treat the diseased tooth. It is this that becomes the source of gum inflammation

If gingivitis or periodontitis develops, long-term therapy will be required. The process of getting rid of the disease can be difficult and will require a lot of patience from you. In order for the effectiveness of treatment to be high and patients to get lasting results, it is necessary to choose the right medications.

Self-medication is not the best way to solve the problem. In this case, rinsing alone is not enough. If symptoms of inflammation of periodontal tissues appear, you should immediately go to the doctor.

First aid for gum inflammation

If the inflammatory process in the gums causes severe pain and discomfort, and you can only go to the dental office the next day, you can use various antiseptic solutions, compositions and gels, as well as herbal decoctions for rinses and applications

Rinsing will help relieve inflammation

Among the popular traditional medicines, decoctions of medicinal herbs are used. Chamomile, oak bark, and calendula will help improve your condition a little. However, too frequent rinsing with such compositions can lead to substances and pigments that are part of medicinal plants remaining on the tooth enamel. They can negatively affect the condition of the teeth, causing them to darken and become rough. This contributes to the formation of tartar.

Preventive agents

If necessary, you can use ready-made rinsing solutions. They also contain herbal infusions. Additionally, doctors recommend using special toothpastes and gels with plant extracts.

It is necessary to maintain oral hygiene and perform all procedures correctly. As you know, you need to brush your teeth at least twice a day. It is important to remember to use a toothbrush before bed.

Thorough oral hygiene is a good prevention of inflammation

After each meal, it is a good idea to use floss or dental floss.

You also need to watch your diet. It must be balanced. It is necessary to take vitamins, eat foods high in calcium, and give up bad habits.

For treatment of gum inflammation to be effective, you should adhere to the following regimen:

1. Remove plaque and tartar in a dental office.
2. Cure inflammation.
3. Completely eliminate negative factors.
4. Maintain good oral hygiene.

If the gums are slightly inflamed, it is enough to simply apply rinses and compresses several times, and also pay special attention to hygiene.

Factors affecting gum health

Traditional methods and various recipes with medicinal plants can help get rid of the disease, but they are not the main remedy for diseases such as periodontal disease or gingivitis. To prevent the disease from progressing, a professional approach and effective medications are required.

Therefore, it is important not to put off visiting the dentist. When the first symptoms appear, you should immediately see a dentist, without waiting until the inflammatory process begins to progress.

Gingivitis before and after treatment Cleaning dental plaque with ultrasound Dental splinting procedure Dental gel Cholisal

A sparkling smile and snow-white teeth attract attention with their beauty. A healthy oral cavity indicates the overall health of the body. And the shamans of ancient Sumeria believed that only those with strong teeth could communicate with spiritual deities.

Gum problems

An experienced dentist will help determine the causes of the negative phenomenon. He will explain that oral diseases can be caused by a number of factors:

1. Incorrect care. Poor brushing of teeth, irregular use of rinses and dental floss, and inability to handle a toothbrush lead to contamination of the enamel.
2. Mistake when selecting dental care products. Remember that the paste must contain the necessary components for strengthening and not contain substances that are aggressive to the enamel. The bristles of the toothbrush are selected according to the type of gum care needed and the density of the teeth.
3. Microbes that enter the body through food intake.
4. Frequent consumption of coffee.
5. Weakened immunity provokes the development of oral diseases.
6. Unbalanced diet. Lack of vitamins received.
7. Taking medications with side effects in this direction.
8. Smoking.

Periodontitis and periodontal disease

Gum problems such as periodontitis and periodontal disease are the most common. In addition, they are also very dangerous for humans. The tissue at the base of the tooth is called “periodontal”, which is where these diseases get their name. In the early stages, their symptoms may be similar. And sometimes it doesn’t manifest itself at all, which is why 80% of the population develops the disease. By the way, it leads to receding gums, exposed necks and displacement of teeth. It could all end in their loss. Periodontitis is accompanied by painful manifestations and purulent deposits at the neck of the tooth. It occurs as a strong inflammatory process.

At first, an invisible problem with the gums is periodontal disease. With this disease, the patient may not have any complaints. A slight sensation of itching and periodic sensitivity to hot and cold do not encourage visiting a dentist. But if treatment is not started in a timely manner, the consequences can be too dire. Periodontal disease leads to tooth loss.

Stomatitis

But that's not all gum problems. Don't forget about stomatitis. It occurs due to the entry of microorganisms into the oral cavity, which the immune system perceives as malignant. The disease manifests itself in the form of abscesses on the oral mucosa and gums. In chronic stages it leads to inflammation of the gum tissue and purulent formations. Symptoms disappear within a week without the use of medication. If there are frequent remissions, you should consult your doctor. The manifestation of stomatitis can be caused by disorders of internal organs, the presence of a herpes infection or allergic processes.

Gingivitis

A clear symptom of gingivitis is bleeding gums. At the beginning of the disease, it may not be noticeable during the morning toilet. Only when eating can you detect a slight taste of blood. Problems with gums appear as their sensitivity increases and they become loose. Gingivitis can be caused by endocrine system disorders. It is often accompanied by inflammation of the lymph nodes under the lower jaw or middle ear. Less commonly, the cause may be post-traumatic stress disorder or medication use. Microorganisms deposit the objects of their vital activity on the integument of the oral cavity and accelerate the inflammatory process. Bad breath appears, the gums recede, plaque and stones form. The person's condition is getting worse. The gums become hypersensitive.

Gums gumboil

Caries and pulpitis in advanced stages destroy the tooth so much that purulent discharge swells the gums. Another cause of swelling can be a poorly sealed canal, into which infection penetrates with clogging and provokes an acute abscess. Disorders caused by periodontitis also lead to poor bonding of the tooth to the gum, opening the way for purulent gumboil.

Gum problems: treatment

The treatment algorithm for any disease of the teeth and gums begins with a diagnosis and clinical examination. A detailed anamnesis reveals to the doctor the essence of the disease, identifies the causes and influences the choice of methods for eliminating the problem. Examinations that must be carried out: x-ray of the root canals to detect holes in the dental bone, blowing with air - it will help find damaged areas and indicate the sensitivity of the tooth enamel, examination by a specialist.

To treat most gum diseases, it is necessary to eliminate the cause, which lies in the infection. This happens with the help of medications and the selection of antiseptic dental care products. In advanced cases, physical therapy is necessary to restore the soft tissue of the gums. For diseases such as gumboil, the only option is to remove the tooth that caused the disease. After this, the gums are incised, cleaned of pus, and then filled with a medical preparation with a restorative effect. To prevent repeated openings of the canal, the place is sealed with a seal.

Folk remedies for the prevention of gum disease

Do you have a problem with your gums? What to do? Of course, go to an experienced specialist! But you should remember that treating gums at home is impossible. After all, the wrong approach will lead not only to complications, but also to tooth loss. Only prevention is possible. Only a doctor can identify gum problems and prescribe appropriate treatment.

It is generally accepted that any herbs relieve gum inflammation and eliminate pain. But dentists say that oak bark infusions have a bad effect on the structure of the dental bone, forming microcracks. At the same time, a solution of salt and soda will quickly relieve pain and swelling of the gums. The first component has antiseptic abilities and fights infections.

Infusions of chamomile, sage, and St. John's wort also help get rid of harmful oral bacteria without destroying the tooth. You need to take 3 tbsp. spoons of each component, mix and add hot water. Bring to a boil in a steam bath, let it brew for 40 minutes. Strain and rinse twice a day. And propolis and tar can be rubbed directly into the gums or added to rinsing infusions. You can also use the following for rinsing: kefir (its bifidobacteria will help fight harmful microbes), carrot juice (acts as a gum strengthener), aloe juice diluted with water.

Causes of gum disease during pregnancy

Can gum problems occur during pregnancy? Yes, and this happens very often. Pregnancy is a time of change. Any mother tries to protect her body from harmful external influences. The immune system is weakened. The body, working with double load, is unable to fight inflammatory processes in the mouth. The reasons why gums suffer during pregnancy are as follows:

• Lack of vitamins and microelements.
• Excessive hormonal activity. It leads to changes in pH balance and acidity throughout the body.
• Emotional sensitivity. Stressful situations make all organs vulnerable.
• Eating large amounts of food of one type (sweets, pickles, flour products).
• Ineffective care. During pregnancy, women become overly cautious. Some, seeing blood on the brush, begin to brush their teeth more carefully, without washing away all the remaining food and germs. Or they cancel one of the dental bone cleaning procedures altogether.

Treatment and prevention of gum disease during pregnancy

Treatment of gum disease during pregnancy is necessary. During a routine examination, a medical professional will easily detect violations and prescribe the necessary measures. Removing the stone with equipment that is not harmful to pregnant women and using various antiseptics will help preserve the teeth until they can be treated. To prevent gum disease, you need to eat fresh fruits and hard vegetables (carrots, apples). This not only helps to obtain vitamins, but also produces a therapeutic massage of the peri-cervical dental areas.

Children's oral diseases

The tiny body of a child undergoes a number of painful changes in the process of its formation. One of the biggest challenges for the whole family is teething. The gums become swollen and vulnerable. In addition, children may suffer from periodontitis, gingivitis, and childhood stomatitis. Diseases manifest themselves in the same way as in the adult population.

The causes of violations may be:

1. Hereditary factors.
2. Problems with the endocrine system.
3. Disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract.
4. Immune diseases.
5. Lack of vitamins necessary for a growing body.
6. Physiological malocclusion is one of the causes of gum problems. She should be seen by a specialist.
7. Babies often taste the whole world, so unwanted microbes get into the oral cavity.

Signs of bacterial growth in the oral cavity will be the color of the tooth bone, bad breath and complaints of itchy gums. To prevent gum problems in children, the following prevention is necessary:

• Compliance with all rules for brushing teeth. Children do not use the brush very carefully during the morning toilet. Parents should be taught to brush all areas of the teeth, pointing the bristles down from the base of the gums.
• Preventing germs from toys or other items that might get into your mouth.
• Using special “chewing” rattles with massaging elements during teething. They improve blood circulation in the gums and relieve pain.
• Controlling the amount of sweets eaten.
• Checking food temperature. Cold or hot food negatively affects delicate gum tissue.
• Safety measures to prevent injury.

Hygiene products for oral care

Various problems with gums are very unpleasant and fraught with consequences (photos of diseases can be seen in any medical reference book). To avoid them, remember that you need to brush your teeth and rinse your mouth at least twice a day. If possible, it is recommended to do this after each meal, since caries most actively affects the enamel during the first 20 minutes after eating.

Comprehensive care will be provided by a brush, silk floss for cleaning the spaces between teeth, and a medical toothpick. The rinse aid fights unpleasant odors caused by bacteria and their waste products. It will help get rid of unwanted pests in the most difficult to reach places.