How to Cure Periodontitis
Periodontitis is a gum infection that can have serious consequences. According to the Mayo Clinic, it destroys the bone and soft tissues inside of your mouth that support your teeth. This can cause you to lose your teeth, and it can even boost your risk of having a stroke or heart attack. Fortunately, you can cure periodontitis by maintain good dental hygiene and visiting your dentist regularly.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
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Brush your teeth at least once every day. According to the Mayo Clinic, the most common cause of periodontitis is poor dental hygiene. The most basic step in taking care of your teeth and mouth is daily brushing. Brushing also removes plaque, which is one of the major causes of periodontitis. The most effective schedule to combat periodontitis is to brush after every meal or snack.
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Replace your toothbrush at least every three months. If you use a worn-out brush, you won't be able to clean your teeth and remove plaque effectively to keep periodontitis at bay. You may want to switch to an electric toothbrush, which may do a better job of plaque removal than manual brushing.
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Floss your teeth on a daily basis. Even if you brush your teeth regularly, a toothbrush cannot remove all of the food particles and other debris caught in between the teeth. Flossing will do a much better job of giving your mouth a thorough cleaning.
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Undergo a dental procedure like scaling or root planing. When you cannot cure periodontitis on your own, your dentist may recommend one of these procedures. Scaling is done with special instruments or an ultrasonic tool, and it removes bacteria from the teeth and underneath the gums. Root planing smooths the surfaces of your teeth roots to prevent tartar build-up.
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Undergo surgery. If more conservative measures do not cure your periodontitis, you may have to have a surgical procedure. These range from cutting flaps to do a more effective cleaning to tissue and bone grafts and regeneration of bone. These methods are usually only needed to cure the most severe or advanced cases.
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Tips & Warnings
The Mayo Clinic says that periodontitis can be dangerous to more than just your dental health. It can allow bacteria to enter your bloodstream to other parts of your body where it can trigger major health problems. For example, the bacteria might cause inflammation that narrows your arteries and leads to a heart attack. You should visit your dentist twice a year for cleanings so she can check to make sure that you're not developing periodontitis. If you are, she can treat it early before any long-term damage is done.
