Synonyms
Periodontitis Prophylaxis
Introduction
The disease colloquially known as periodontosis is an inflammation of one or more structures of the periodontium. For this reason, the term periodontal disease is incorrect from a dental point of view, the technically correct term is periodontitis. Inflammatory processes in the area of the periodontium, which includes the gums (lat.
Gingiva) and the jawbone, are among the most common human diseases. About every second person suffers at least once in the course of his or her life from inflammation of the gums (lat. Gingivitis).
In the majority of cases, periodontal disease results directly from gingivitis, but in some patients there may be other causes for the occurrence of this disease. It can be concluded that the risk of developing periodontal inflammation is strictly related to irregular or simply improper oral hygiene. The consequences of periodontal disease depend on the initial condition of the teeth, the severity of the disease and the structures of the periodontium involved. In addition, the time at which a dental therapy is initiated plays a decisive role in the prognosis of the success of the treatment. Basically, periodontitis can lead to extensive bone resorption and the loss of otherwise perfectly healthy teeth.
Periodontosis Prophylaxis
The most effective way to prevent periodontosis in the long term (prophylaxis) is regular and adequate dental care. Patients who experience bleeding or pain in the area of the gums (gum bleeding) while brushing their teeth daily should urgently consult a dentist, as these are probably the symptoms of gingivitis, the stage of periodontosis. Most dental offices offer special prophylaxis sessions at regular intervals, during which the patient’s tooth brushing habits are analyzed with the help of staining tablets.
In addition, periodontal prophylaxis includes specific tooth brushing training that is tailored to the individual patient and their dental status. This training includes instructions for the cleaning of teeth and interdental spaces. In addition, a so-called professional tooth cleaning (PZR) can be carried out in the course of periodontal prophylaxis.
The treating dentist uses sterilizable hand instruments, which are ground at a specific angle (curettes) and thus can be guided very closely along the tooth surface. This enables effective cleaning of the tooth surface and the interdental spaces. Soft plaque as well as hard tartar can be removed easily.
For periodontal prophylaxis, it is recommended to use a toothbrush at least three times a day for oral hygiene at home. The right choice of the right toothbrush also plays a decisive role. Medium Hard toothbrush heads are most useful for patients with gum disease, because soft bristles are not able to completely remove all plaque on the tooth surface.
Hard toothbrush heads, on the other hand, exert too much pressure on the already damaged gums, can injure them and promote gum recession. In addition to cleaning the smooth surfaces of the teeth, cleaning the interdental spaces as part of effective periodontal prophylaxis must not be neglected. At least once a day, preferably in the evening, the use of dental floss and/or interdental brushes should be considered.
For patients with very narrow interdental spaces, the use of dental floss is usually uncomplicated. For patients with wide interdental spaces or interlocking teeth, however, this is usually not enough. The reason for this is that the floss cannot be guided close enough to the tooth surface in wide interdental spaces.
Therefore, a real cleaning is not possible. For these patients it makes sense to switch to the use of interdental space brushes. For optimal, long-term periodontal prophylaxis, interdental brushes of suitable diameter must be used. Most dentists offer an adjustment of the interdental space brushes in the course of the prophylaxis session.
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