How to Prevent Periodontal Disease: Protecting Healthy Gums

CEO Dentist Lee Jang-wook

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Something that comes with age? Misconceptions and truths about periodontal disease

Today, we’d like to talk about “periodontal disease,” which many people worry about. Periodontal disease is the common name people use, but the precise medical term refers to periodontal disease or periodontitis.

Many people think it is a condition that naturally develops as we get older, but in reality, it is a condition that can be sufficiently prevented through thorough care and preventive methods for periodontal disease.

Many people overlook the importance of gum health, but healthy gums are the most basic foundation for maintaining strong teeth. If the gums weaken, even if the teeth themselves are healthy, it can eventually lead to tooth loss.

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Why brushing alone is not enough, and the vicious cycle created by tartar

The biggest cause of periodontal disease is the accumulation of plaque and tartar.

If you do not brush properly after eating, a bacterial film forms on the surface of the teeth, and this is plaque. If plaque is not removed for a long time and builds up, it hardens into tartar, and this tartar works its way between the gums and teeth, causing inflammation in the gums. At first, it begins as mild gum inflammation, but if left untreated, it can gradually progress deeper and worsen into a serious condition that damages even the jawbone supporting the gums. In particular, smoking, excessive drinking, irregular lifestyle habits, and stress are also major factors that harm gum health, so caution is needed.

People with systemic conditions such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease may develop gum inflammation more easily, so special care is required.

Early warning signs that may seem minor but should never be taken lightly

The early symptoms of periodontal disease begin more subtly than you might think. They often start with a little bleeding from the gums when brushing, or the gums becoming red and swollen, so many people tend to dismiss them and move on.

But once this stage passes, the gums begin to recede, the roots of the teeth become exposed, and you may feel severe sensitivity when eating cold or hot foods. As it progresses further, the gums bleed continuously, bad breath becomes severe, and you start to feel pain every time you chew.

When it reaches the most serious stage, the teeth begin to loosen and can eventually fall out on their own. Therefore, it is extremely important to detect symptoms early and properly practice preventive methods for periodontal disease.

A process that leads not just to tooth problems, but to a reduced quality of life

The discomfort caused by periodontal disease goes beyond simple tooth problems and affects daily life as a whole. If you cannot chew food properly, digestion can also be affected, and unbalanced nutrition may worsen overall health as well.

In addition, bad breath can reduce confidence in social interactions, and as the gums recede and the teeth appear longer, it can also create an unfavorable appearance. Above all, feeling pain every time you eat and having to avoid cold or hot foods greatly lowers quality of life.

Especially when dining out or attending gatherings, restrictions on food choices can make social life more difficult. According to recent research, periodontal disease has also been found to be associated with systemic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and dementia, making the practice of preventive methods for periodontal disease even more important.

Step-by-step treatment you can receive at the dental clinic

Fortunately, if periodontal disease is properly treated at the dental clinic, its progression can be halted and positive changes in symptoms can be expected. In the early stage, scaling alone

may be enough to treat it. Scaling is a method of removing tartar that has accumulated on the surface of the teeth and beneath the gums using ultrasonic instruments, and receiving it regularly is effective in protecting gum health.

However, if periodontal disease has already progressed significantly, root planing or gum surgery may be necessary to remove inflammation that has invaded deep into the gums.

Root planing is a procedure that removes tartar and inflamed tissue deep inside the gums, and it is performed under local anesthesia so that you can receive treatment without pain. In severe cases, flap surgery may be needed, in which the gums are opened to directly remove inflammation and tartar from deep areas, after which the gums are sutured closed again.

At Etoile de Seoul Dental Clinic, we use 3D CT and digital equipment to precisely diagnose the condition of each patient's gums, create individualized treatment plans, and also provide guidance on preventive methods for periodontal disease.

Protect healthy gums for life with just 3 minutes a day

Developing proper brushing habits is the most basic preventive method for periodontal disease. You should brush thoroughly for at least three minutes, at least twice a day, after breakfast and before going to bed. The key is to place the bristles at a 45-degree angle to the line where the gums and teeth meet, and brush gently in a circular motion.

If you brush too hard, you may instead damage the gums and wear down the teeth, so it is important to brush gently with appropriate pressure.

Because a toothbrush alone makes it difficult to completely remove food debris between the teeth, it is recommended to use dental floss or interdental brushes as well. Be sure to use dental floss at least once before going to bed to keep the spaces between your teeth clean. Regular dental checkups are also very important.

By visiting the dentist every six months for scaling and a gum checkup, you can detect and address problems early. Changes in lifestyle also help. Smoking is fatal to gum health, so quitting is recommended, and excessive drinking should also be avoided. It is also important to eat plenty of vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin C to protect gum health.

Big changes created by small habits, start today

Etoile de Seoul Dental Clinic takes responsibility for the gum health of every visitor based on rich experience with more than 20 years of clinical practice.

CEO Dentist Lee Jang-wook, a graduate of Seoul National University, provides care personally, and with a variety of equipment including two CT scanners and two TRIOS 3D scanners, accurate diagnosis is possible. We aim for less painful treatment to reduce fear of dental care, and through a thorough follow-up management system, we continue to provide care even after treatment.

Periodontal disease is a condition that is difficult to completely return to its original state once it develops.

However, it is also a condition that can be sufficiently prevented through proper oral care habits and regular dental checkups. Starting now, make it a habit to brush carefully and use dental floss every day, practice preventive methods for periodontal disease, and visit the dentist regularly every six months. Healthy gums are the first step in protecting healthy teeth for life, and furthermore, they are an important foundation for protecting overall health.

Small actions make a big difference.

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