Periodontics

Food debris that accumulates can harden over time, creating a hard layer called dental tartar, which is deposited between the teeth and the gums. Bacterial plaque damages the gums and the underlying bones, resulting in red gums, bleeding during brushing or moving teeth, that are the main symptoms of periodontal disease. In most cases, the patient is not conscious of its existence (it is called a silent disease) until it is at an advanced stage. Its treatment is fundamental to avoid tooth loss.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Phases

Gingivitis. This is a superficial disease limited to the gum tissue, not affecting the bone. Gums turn red and swollen, bleeding or producing bad breath. Generally it does not produce pain, so it usually goes unnoticed.
Periodontitis, or pyorrhoea. When gingivitis is not treated on time, aside from the previous symptoms, there is a bone loss. Periodontitis is considered an irreversible disease, as the bone loss cannot be restored.

Periodontal maintenance

The periodontal maintenance treatment in intervals of 3 to 6 months is crucial to achieve satisfactory results.

If the periodontal check-ups are not done, the initial shock treatment and periodontal surgery will hardly prevent progression of periodontitis. It is vital to also take care at home with appropriate and complete oral hygiene. To that end, it is necessary to apply a combined treatment that includes control through physical tools (interdental brushes, floss) and chemical substances (oral antiseptics, chlorhexidine, triclosan, etc).
The insertion level can be kept stable through more than 10 years if the periodic check-ups are maintained. Otherwise, the periodontitis will progress. It is almost impossible to fail on a periodontal treatment in patients that receive it, as well as keeping up with the periodic check-ups.
In conclusion, periodontal check-ups are essential to succeed in periodontal treatments.