Prophylaxis | Periodontosis and periodontitis

Prophylaxis

Before and after the rehabilitation of periodontitis, a constant follow-up check by the dentist should be carried out. The cooperation of the patient is very important. The dentist must carry out careful oral hygiene in order to remove the plaque that is constantly forming. The dentist will give him the necessary instructions. If the patient follows the instructions, it should be possible to prevent further occurrence of periodontitis and thus reduce the risks of a new disease.

Effects

In periodontitis, the inflamed tissue is connected with the whole organism. As a result, pathogens can be spread from the gum pockets to other parts of the body. Scientific studies have shown that there is a connection between periodontitis and heart disease, especially heart attack.

Other risk factors such as smoking, diabetes and obesity are related to this. Also for these reasons, treatment of periodontitis is urgently needed. In order to avoid the risk of germ transfer, it is advisable to treat with antibiotics when gum pockets are surgically cleaned.

Periodontitis and smoking

In the past, it was believed that the cause of inflammatory disease of the periodontium is the deposit of plaque under the gumline. Poor or ineffective oral hygiene was declared the main cause of these diseases.Periodontitis should be prevented by learning special brushing techniques and the use of dental floss and/or interdental brushes. This assumption is not to be rejected so far by the hand, nevertheless today many further factors, which favor a Parodontose (factors of risk), are well-known.

One of the most important risk factors for periodontitis is the consumption of tobacco products (smoking). According to this, smoking not only has a harmful effect on the lungs and other organs, but the consumption of nicotine can also have extremely harmful consequences in the oral cavity. Thus studies assume that up to 50% of periodontal diseases of young adults are due to smoking.

Active smokers have a 3-6 times higher risk to suffer from periodontitis than non-smokers. Former smokers still have a 2-3 times higher risk in the first 10 years after giving up smoking. To understand this fact, it is necessary to know that smoking produces a substance called carbon monoxide.

This carbon monoxide binds many times (approx. 200 times) stronger to the red blood pigment haemoglobin, the urgently needed oxygen is displaced and therefore does not reach its destination anymore or only insufficiently. An optimal blood and oxygen supply to the organs and even the oral cavity can no longer be guaranteed.

However, since the blood transports important antibodies, which cause bleeding of the gums in the early stages of periodontosis, to the oral cavity, this early warning signal is usually not given. A disease is only noticed very late. In addition, smoking reduces the body’s absorption of vitamins and minerals.

However, both vitamins and minerals are essential for an immune system capable of defending itself. The deficiency caused by smoking ultimately leads to a weakened immune system, which makes it easy for bacteria to cause inflammation and cause lasting damage to the periodontium. The progressive damage leads to degradation processes of the jawbone, but the body cannot counteract this due to the lack of minerals.