Periodontal disease a serious threat to oral health
Periodontal health is crucial to overall oral health. Untreated periodontal disease can lead to serious consequences, including tooth loss. Endodontics, the branch of dentistry that treats the pulp of teeth, plays a key role in combating this problem. In this article, you will learn how endodontics can help treat periodontal disease and restore oral health.
Periodontal disease definition and causes
The periodontium, the tissue that surrounds the teeth, has an important function in the body. It protects the roots of the teeth, holds them in place and ensures the stability and healthy appearance of the dentition. Unfortunately, many factors can lead to periodontal disease. The most common causes are hygienic negligence, such as improper brushing, insufficient or improper flossing or mouthwash used by users.
Periodontal health is also affected by smoking, which lowers the body's resistance to infection and reduces blood flow in periodontal tissues. Diabetes, insufficient vitamin C levels or hormonal changes such as pregnancy or menopause can also lead to various types of periodontal disease.
What are the symptoms of periodontal disease?
Untreated periodontal disease leads to progressive symptoms that not only affect the health of the mouth, but can also have a negative impact on overall health. These symptoms include:
bleeding gums when brushing or flossing,swelling and redness around the gums,shifting of teeth,development of mouth odors,sensation of pain or discomfort during chewing,loss of teeth.If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to consult a dentist as soon as possible to diagnose the problem and recommend appropriate treatment.
Endodontics key role in the treatment of periodontal disease
Endodontics, also known as root canal treatment, is the branch of dentistry that deals with the treatment of tooth pulp. The tooth pulp is the tissue inside the tooth roots that contains blood vessels and nerves. When the pulp is compromised by bacterial infection or trauma, inflammation can occur, leading to pain, swelling and other symptoms characteristic of periodontal disease.
Endodontic treatment involves removing the infected pulp, cleaning the root canals and applying appropriate antibacterial agents. The canals are then filled with a special material that prevents reinfection and stabilizes the tooth. In advanced cases, additional treatments such as surgery or bone grafting may also be used.
Endodontics contributes to the treatment of periodontal disease by removing the source of infection and restoring the health of the tooth pulp. Thus, it is possible to maintain natural dentition and avoid the need for tooth extraction.
Advantages of endodontics over tooth extraction
For advanced periodontal disease, the traditional solution has been to extract infected teeth. However, endodontics offers a number of advantages that make it a more preferred treatment. First and foremost, endodontics allows for the maintenance of natural dentition, which is of great importance for proper oral function, aesthetics and patient comfort.
In addition, endodontics is less invasive than tooth extraction. Removing a tooth requires time for the wound to heal and can lead to changes in the remaining teeth, such as misalignment or altered occlusion. The more natural teeth that can be preserved, the better for overall oral health.
Summary
Periodontal disease is a serious problem that can lead to tooth loss and negatively affect overall oral health. Endodontics, the treatment of tooth pulp, plays a key role in combating this problem. With endodontics, it is possible to preserve natural dentition, avoid tooth extraction and restore oral health. That's why it's a good idea to consult a dentist if you experience any symptoms of periodontal disease and consider endodontic treatment as an effective treatment option.