Daechi-dong Dental Clinic: Periodontitis Is Not Just a Simple Gum Disease

Daechi-dong Dental Clinic: Periodontitis Is Not Just a Simple Gum Disease.

Hello.

This is Oks Dental Clinic.

Have you ever noticed bleeding while brushing, or felt your gums swollen and sensitive?

You may have brushed it off as, “I’m probably just tired lately,” or “Maybe I brushed too hard.”

But these symptoms can be the beginning of periodontitis.

When inflammation develops in the gums and gradually spreads down to the bone, the roots that support the teeth weaken, and the teeth can eventually become loose.

What is periodontitis?

Periodontitis is simply inflammation in the tissues around the teeth.

At first, it starts as gingivitis, where inflammation affects only the gums. If left untreated, the inflammation spreads to the alveolar bone (the bone that supports the teeth) and worsens into periodontitis.

Periodontitis is not just about swollen gums and bleeding. It can also cause loose teeth, pain when chewing, and in severe cases, tooth loss.

What causes periodontitis?

The biggest cause of periodontitis is plaque and tartar.

If food debris left after eating is not cleaned properly, bacteria remain in the mouth. Those bacteria gather and form a sticky film called plaque.

When this hardens, it becomes tartar, and if tartar sticks between the gums and teeth, inflammation develops and progresses into periodontitis.

In addition, factors such as smoking, systemic conditions like diabetes, stress, genetic factors, and improper brushing habits can make periodontitis worse.

What are the symptoms of periodontitis?

In the early stages, periodontitis can progress quietly without much pain, so it may be hard to notice.

But if even a few of the symptoms below apply to you, we recommend visiting a dental clinic.

✔ Bleeding gums when brushing

✔ Red, swollen gums

✔ Bad breath getting worse

✔ Gaps widening between teeth

✔ A feeling that the teeth are loose

How is periodontitis treated?

Treatment for periodontitis depends on the severity of the inflammation.

Usually, it begins with scaling, a treatment that removes tartar and bacteria stuck between the teeth and gums.

However, if the inflammation has progressed deeper, root planing (SRP) or periodontal surgery may be necessary.

Tartar that has settled deep inside the gums is difficult to remove with regular scaling alone, so treatment with special instruments to scrape it away is needed.

Periodontitis: prevention is most important

Once periodontitis develops, it is difficult to eliminate completely, and it also tends to recur.

That is why prevention and early treatment are more important than anything else.

▶ Brush properly at least twice a day

▶ Use dental floss or interdental brushes

▶ Get regular scaling

(once every 6 months to 1 year)

▶ Reduce smoking

▶ Manage systemic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure

In closing...

When gum disease develops, it is easy to think, “Surely this isn’t that serious, right?” But periodontitis is a serious condition that can lead to tooth loss.

Fortunately, with early detection and consistent care, you can maintain healthy gums.

If your gums bleed often when brushing, or if your teeth feel slightly loose, now may be the time to visit a dental clinic.

Protect your precious teeth for as long as possible with regular oral checkups.