Treatment Methods for Periodontitis

Periodontitis is a common oral disease primarily caused by bacterial infection, leading to chronic inflammation of the tissues supporting the teeth. Its treatment includes the following methods:

1. Basic treatment: This is the first step in treating periodontitis and usually involves professional dental cleaning, known as periodontal scaling or root planing. The dentist will remove plaque and tartar from the tooth surfaces and below the gumline to reduce bacterial numbers.

2. Medication: In some cases, doctors may prescribe oral antibiotics or topical gels, ointments, or mouthwashes to control infection. For example, chlorhexidine mouthwash can help reduce bacterial levels in the mouth.

3. Maintenance therapy: Regular dental checkups and professional teeth cleaning can prevent recurrence of periodontitis. Good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing twice daily, using dental floss, and interdental brushes to clean between teeth, are also important.

4. Management of complex cases: For severe periodontitis, surgical treatment such as periodontal flap surgery may be required to more thoroughly remove infection and repair damaged bone. Bone grafts or soft tissue grafts may also be considered to help re-stabilize the teeth.

5. Lifestyle changes: Quitting smoking, controlling blood sugar levels, maintaining a balanced diet, and reducing stress can all help improve the condition and prognosis of periodontitis.

If symptoms such as red, swollen gums, bleeding, loose teeth, or bad breath are noticed, prompt medical attention is advised.