The gum is a mucosa responsible for covering the bone that surrounds the teeth. Without any alteration, the gum is pale reddish in color and its main function is to protect the teeth, in addition to helping to hold them. On many occasions, we present alterations in this important tissue that lead to multiple consequences, we can find from a notable change in the coloration of the tissue, which can give us indications that something is happening, to changes at the dental level, affecting from aesthetics to principal functions. One of these alterations is pyorrhea and that is why in the following FastlyHealarticle we will explain in detail what pyorrhea is, what its symptoms are and the treatment you should follow if you present it.
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What is dental pyorrhea and what are its symptoms
The chronic periodontitis or also called pyorrhea is a common pathology oral infectious type level produced by the presence of bacterial colonies located on the gums. It is a disease that leads to the destruction of the dental supporting bone and, therefore, to the loss of the main functions of this tissue.
Symptoms of pyorrhea
Among the most frequent symptoms of pyorrhea, we will first mention the presence of tartar above or below the gum, the person presents a change in color in the gum being a more accentuated red, the teeth turn a more yellowish color and mainly there is the presence of an outflow of pus or blood, which can be spontaneous or occur as a result of the passage of an object, for example during tooth brushing.
In addition, pyorrhea can cause the gum to retract and the person complain of mobility in the teeth due to loss of support.
Causes of pyorrhea
The main cause of pyorrhea is bacterial, since inside our mouth there is a bacterial accumulation and as the hours go by, a plaque film forms at the dental level , composed of the same bacteria and food debris. If this plaque is not removed, it can become mineralized giving rise to solid deposits, known as dental calculus or tartar, producing gingivitis , which is the first inflammatory response that the gum has to these agents. However, when this progresses and the injury is prolonged, bone loss can occur , leading to pyorrhea or chronic periodontitis.
The previous cause is closely related to poor hygiene on the part of the person at the oral level.
Pyorrhea presents risk factors that can produce it or aggravate the situation, among these factors is tobacco. The cigarette has a vascular effect in which blood flow is decreased, in addition to the gum will receive less oxygen and, therefore, the defense mechanism of bacteria is affected, destroying the tissue faster and more aggressively.
Women are more likely to suffer from pyorrhea due to the hormonal changes that they present, these changes modify the bacterial microflora in the mouth, making it more susceptible to the increase of bacteria and, therefore, to the formation of tartar.
Another possible cause can be influenced by systemic factors, such as diabetes.
Treatment of pyorrhea
The treatment of pyorrhea consists of several phases, the initial or hygiene phase being the performance of a dental cleaning or also known as a scalectomy, which consists of the removal of the calculus or tartar through the use of instruments, either rotary or manuals by the general dentist. In more delicate cases, it is preferable to go to a periodontist, who is the specialist dentist in this area.
Then comes the control or maintenance phase , the person must be reviewed again by the dentist to affirm that the changes suffered in the gum have improved, and this phase includes the use of a better brushing technique and mouth rinses, preferably those containing chlorhexidine. Depending on the type of rinsing, it will be indicated for how long and how it should be used, and depending on the degree of alteration suffered, the brushing technique to be used will be decided.
In the event that the patient is a smoker, it will be recommended to quit, since as long as the habit is maintained, pyorrhea will also continue.
Another possible treatment in case of advanced periodontal diseases, in which there is a lot of tooth mobility and tartar is observed below the gum, is the performance of periodontal surgery. With this, the gum will be separated from the teeth to leave them exposed and the area will be cleaned eliminating all traces of tartar, it will be sutured and, finally, the teeth will be fixed in their proper position with the use of resin and / or orthodontic wires.
However, the best way to avoid pyorrhea is prevention, that is, maintaining proper oral hygiene, including from a good brushing technique to a good mouthwash. In the following article we show the best tricks to take care of your teeth .This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Dental pyorrhea: causes, symptoms and treatment , we recommend that you enter our Teeth and mouth category .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.