3 Important Things to Note About Chronic and Acute Periodontitis

Hello.

I’m Chief Director Sim Seong-hwan.

"Is it okay to brush off periodontitis as something minor...?"

Have you ever experienced bleeding gums or sensitivity?

Many patients tend to think these symptoms are not a big deal and let them pass.

But periodontitis gradually worsens over time and can eventually become a serious disease that may lead to tooth loss.

In particular, chronic periodontitis and acute periodontitis differ in progression speed and symptoms, but if neither is treated early, both can affect not only your teeth but also your overall health.

What I often tell my patients is, "Gums never recover on their own."

Just as cavities get worse if left untreated, periodontitis will only worsen if ignored.

So today, I’d like to share 3 important points that people dealing with chronic or acute periodontitis should 꼭 know.

If you read through to the end, you’ll find it very helpful to understand why early detection and proper management of periodontitis matter, and what you should pay attention to.

Periodontitis,

Don’t miss the early signs

Periodontitis often goes unnoticed in the early stages because there is usually no obvious pain.

However, periodontitis starts with very small signs.

If your gums bleed when brushing, or if you feel swelling and sensitivity in your gums, there is a high chance that periodontitis is already progressing.

Chronic periodontitis, in particular, progresses slowly, so many people do not realize it, while acute periodontitis can suddenly cause severe pain and swelling.

If you miss the early signs of periodontitis, the jawbone around the gums gradually dissolves, weakening the support that holds the teeth in place.

When that happens, the teeth may start to loosen, and it can eventually lead to tooth extraction.

I tell my patients that the easiest way to check gum health is to "look in the mirror after brushing."

If you see blood when brushing, do not take it lightly and make sure to visit a dental clinic.

Especially if bleeding happens often or gum swelling keeps recurring, there is a strong possibility that it is the early stage of periodontitis, so active management is needed.

Also, if your bad breath has become more noticeable, it is worth suspecting gum health.

Bad breath can be caused by cavities, but it can also come from inflammation inside the gums due to periodontitis, which creates an unpleasant odor.

Rather than trying to solve this with mouthwash or toothpaste made for bad breath, it is important to identify the underlying cause.

Gum treatment alone

may not be enough

Many people think that periodontitis can be resolved with scaling alone.

Of course, scaling plays an important role in preventing periodontitis and treating it early, but it has limits when it comes to treating periodontitis that has already progressed.

Periodontal treatment may be needed to remove plaque and tartar that have built up deep under the gums.

If gum inflammation is severe, specialized treatments such as root planing or curettage may be necessary.

Root planing is a treatment that smooths and cleans the root surface of the tooth to remove factors that cause inflammation, and curettage is a treatment that removes inflamed tissue accumulated inside the gums.

Also, if periodontitis has already progressed significantly, the jawbone may have already dissolved.

In that case, simple gum treatment alone will not solve the problem, and bone grafting may be needed.

I always emphasize to my patients that the best approach is to receive treatment before periodontitis progresses.

That is because if treatment is provided at a stage where the tooth can still be saved, healthy gums can often be restored with relatively simple care.

Even after periodontitis treatment, ongoing care is important.

Receiving treatment does not mean plaque and tartar will never build up again. It is necessary to visit the dentist regularly, check the condition of the gums, and manage them with scaling.

Periodontitis is also connected to overall health,

so management is essential

Did you know that periodontitis is not limited to oral problems?

In fact, it is closely related to overall health as well.

There are research findings showing that leaving periodontitis untreated can increase the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and stroke.

This is because periodontitis causes chronic inflammation and increases the body’s overall inflammatory response.

In particular, patients with diabetes are more likely to have periodontitis progress more severely. This is because diabetes weakens the immune system, making inflammation easier to develop and periodontal tissues more vulnerable.

Conversely, if periodontitis is severe, blood sugar control can become more difficult. I tell patients with diabetes that they need to manage periodontal disease even more thoroughly.

Also, people with cardiovascular disease should pay close attention to periodontitis management.

Research has shown that patients with periodontitis have a higher risk of heart disease than those without it.

This is because inflammatory substances from periodontitis can spread throughout the body through the bloodstream and affect vascular health.

The best way to prevent periodontitis is to maintain regular oral checkups and proper oral hygiene habits.

It is important to brush thoroughly 2 to 3 times a day and use dental floss or a water flosser to keep the spaces between teeth clean.

Also, it is necessary to have a regular dental checkup once every 6 months to monitor periodontal health.

Periodontitis should be prevented and

managed in advance.

Periodontitis may not cause much pain in the early stages, but if left untreated, it is a serious disease that can lead to tooth loss.

It is important not to miss the early signs and to receive treatment as soon as possible, and you should remember that scaling alone is not always enough.

Because periodontitis can also affect overall health, thorough daily management is necessary.

I encourage my patients to have regular dental checkups and maintain proper oral hygiene habits.

Prevention is the best treatment for periodontitis, and if it is detected early, healthy gums can be maintained with relatively simple care.

Please remember that gum health determines tooth health, and do not ignore even minor symptoms—consult with a dentist.

Thank you for reading this long post.

This was Chief Director Sim Seong-hwan.

Chronic acute periodontitis Chronic acute periodontitis Chronic acute periodontitis Chronic acute periodontitis