Periodontitis is a serious gum
infection that damages the soft tissue and destroys the bone that supports your
teeth. Periodontitis can cause tooth loss or worse, an increased risk of heart
attack or stroke and other serious health problems.
Periodontitis is common but
largely preventable. Periodontitis is usually the result of poor oral hygiene.
Brushing at least twice a day, flossing daily and getting regular dental
checkups can greatly reduce your chance of developing periodontitis.
Signs and symptoms of periodontitis can include:
Bright red or purplish gums
Gums that feel tender when
touched
Gums that pull away from your
teeth (recede), making your teeth look longer than normal
New spaces developing between
your teeth
Pus between your teeth and gums
Bad taste in your mouth
Loose teeth
A change in the way your teeth
fit together when you bite
There are different types, or
classes, of periodontitis. Chronic periodontitis is the most common class,
affecting mostly adults, though children can be affected, too. Aggressive
periodontitis usually begins in childhood or early adulthood and affects only a
small number of people.
Causes
It's thought that periodontitis
begins with plaque — a sticky film composed mainly of bacteria. Plaque forms on
your teeth when starches and sugars in food interact with bacteria normally
found in your mouth. Brushing and flossing your teeth removes plaque. But
plaque re-forms quickly, usually within 24 hours.
Plaque that stays on your teeth
longer than two or three days can harden under your gumline into tartar
(calculus). Tartar also may form as a result of the mineral content of your
saliva. Tartar makes plaque more difficult to remove and acts as a reservoir
for bacteria. You can't get rid of tartar by brushing and flossing — you need a
professional dental cleaning to remove it.
The longer that plaque and tartar
remain on your teeth, the more damage they can do. Initially, they may simply
irritate and inflame the gingiva, the part of your gum around the base of your
teeth. This is called gingivitis, the mildest form of periodontal disease.
Ongoing inflammation eventually
causes pockets to develop between your gums and teeth that fill with plaque,
tartar and bacteria. Bacteria deposit endotoxin — a byproduct of their own
metabolism — which is responsible for much of the inflammation around teeth. In
time, these pockets become deeper and more bacteria accumulate, eventually
advancing under your gum tissue. These deep infections cause a loss of tissue
and bone. If too much bone is destroyed, you may lose one or more teeth.
Remedies for Gum Disease
1. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide works as a
strong antibacterial agent that kills germs and fights gum disease. Plus, it
helps whiten and brighten your pearly whites. Make sure you use the 3 percent
hydrogen peroxide solution that typically comes in brown bottles, rather than the
highly concentrated version.
Mix equal parts of hydrogen
peroxide and water. Rinse your mouth with the solution for a few seconds, and
then spit it out. Use it a few times a week until you are satisfied with the
results.
Alternatively, mix hydrogen
peroxide little by little into one teaspoon of baking soda to make a paste. Put
the paste on your toothbrush and gently brush it on your gums and gum line.
Finally, spit it out and rinse your mouth. Use it a few times a week for a few
weeks.
You can also apply a paste of
clove oil and hydrogen peroxide, leave it on for a few seconds and then spit it
out. Repeat as needed.
Note: Do not use hydrogen
peroxide too often; once a day is sufficient. Do not swallow it.