What is Periodontilis?Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease which causes destruction of the supporting structure of teeth i.e.periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. It's a slowly progressing disease but the tissue destruction that occurs is largely irreversible. In early stages it is usually asymptomatic and not painful. The individual only becomes aware of it when it progresses to tooth mobility. If you improve and maintain good dental hygiene it is fairly preventable..Periodontitis and heart healthStudies have shown that bacteria found in periodontal disease including streptococcus sanguis play a role in strokes and affects heart health. Both go hand in hand. To put it simply, the more bacteria you have inyour body the increased likelihood of your heart getting affected. If we reduce long term bacteria we lower the risk factor to heart disease.Periodontilis and pulmonary disease Gum diseases are known to worsen the chronic inflammation in lung diseases such as asthma and COPD. Infected and inflamed gums send distress signal that places rest of the body on alert. This leads to inflammation of lungs. Many inhaled anti-inflammatory bronchodialators cause dry mouth. This further leads to cavities and gum diseases. Chewing sugarless gum or candy can help you produce more saliva which will help in reducing the dry mouthPeriodontilis and renal dysfunctionPeople with renal dysfunction and on dialysis have been found to have higher prevalence of periodontitis. It is likely the decreased bone mineral density in such patients would increase risk for progressive alveolar bone loss from subsequent periodontal infections similar to what occurs in patients of osteoporosis.Psychosocial factorsRecent studies have shown that psycho-emotional stress may contribute to development of periodontal pathology.Stress activates central nervous system and resultant release of cortisol may cause depression in the immune response. This provides periodontal bacteria an opportunity to proliferate and possibly invade the tissues, eventually causing more extensive inflammatory response.Periodontitis and DiabetesPeriodontitis is stated to be the sixth complication of Diabetes. There is a clear relationship between degree of hyperglycaemia and severity ofperiodontitis. The risk of periodontitis is increased approximately threefold in people with Diabetes as compared to non-diabetics.The studies have shown a two-way relationship between Diabetes and Periodontitis - not only does Diabetes or poor glycaemic control increase risk for periodontitis but also periodontitis has a negative effect on glycaemic control.Both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes mellitus are associated with elevated inflammatory markers, whereby cytokines play a central role in the host's response to periodontal biofilm. (Cytokines mar soluble proteins that confer instructions and mediate communication among immune andnon-immune cells. Biofilm is the collection of microscopic living things that grow together within a substance that they produce. When not removed regularly, these bacteria cause problems such as periodontal disease, gingivitis, and cavities). It explains the immune-biological connection between Diabetes and periodontal diseases.Periodontal infection can contribute to the low grade general inflammation associated with Diabetes thus aggravating insulin resistance and glycaemic control in people with Diabetes.TreatmentThe treatment of periodontitis is associated with significant reduction in HbAlc levels (i.e. approximately by 0.4 per cent).The treatment includes:Non-surgical treatments• Scaling - Removes tartar, calculus, bacteria from your tooth surface and beneath your gums using ultrasonic device.• Root planning- Root planning smoothens root surface discouraging build-up of tartar and bacteria contributing to healing and reattachment of the gums to tooth surface.Surgical treatments• Flap surgery• Soft tissue grafts• Bone graftsLifestyle changes• Brush twice daily using an electric toothbrush for effective cleaning and plaque removal.• Rinse after every meal or snack.• Floss daily.• Use interdental brush or a water flosser recommended by your dentist• Don't smoke or chew tobacco.• Take regular dental appointments for professional teeth cleaningPeriodontal infection can contribute to the low grade general inflammation associated with Diabetes thus aggravating insulin resistance and glycaemic control in people with Diabetes.TreatmentThe treatment of periodontitis is associated with significant reduction in HbAlc levels (i.e. approximately by 0.4 per cent).The treatment includes:Non-surgical treatments• Scaling - Removes tartar, calculus, bacteria from your tooth surface and beneath your gums using ultrasonic device.• Root planning- Root planning smoothens root surface discouraging build-up of tartar and bacteria contributing to healing and reattachment of the gums to tooth surface.Surgical treatments• Flap surgery• Soft tissue grafts• Bone graftsLifestyle changes• Brush twice daily using an electric toothbrush for effective cleaning and plaque removal.• Rinse after every meal or snack.• Floss daily.• Use interdental brush or a water flosser recommended by your dentist• Don't smoke or chew tobacco.• Take regular dental appointments for professional teeth cleaningPeriodontal infection can contribute to the low grade general inflammation associated with Diabetes thus aggravating insulin resistance and glycaemic control in people with Diabetes.TreatmentThe treatment of periodontitis is associated with significant reduction in HbAlc levels (i.e. approximately by 0.4 per cent).The treatment includes:Non-surgical treatments• Scaling - Removes tartar, calculus, bacteria from your tooth surface and beneath your gums using ultrasonic device.• Root planning- Root planning smoothens root surface discouraging build-up of tartar and bacteria contributing to healing and reattachment of the gums to tooth surface.Surgical treatments• Flap surgery• Soft tissue grafts• Bone graftsLifestyle changes• Brush twice daily using an electric toothbrush for effective cleaning and plaque removal.• Rinse after every meal or snack.• Floss daily.• Use interdental brush or a water flosser recommended by your dentist• Don't smoke or chew tobacco.• Take regular dental appointments for professional teeth cleaning Dr Nikita Desai is a Consulting Dentist.
What is Periodontilis?Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease which causes destruction of the supporting structure of teeth i.e.periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. It's a slowly progressing disease but the tissue destruction that occurs is largely irreversible. In early stages it is usually asymptomatic and not painful. The individual only becomes aware of it when it progresses to tooth mobility. If you improve and maintain good dental hygiene it is fairly preventable..Periodontitis and heart healthStudies have shown that bacteria found in periodontal disease including streptococcus sanguis play a role in strokes and affects heart health. Both go hand in hand. To put it simply, the more bacteria you have inyour body the increased likelihood of your heart getting affected. If we reduce long term bacteria we lower the risk factor to heart disease.Periodontilis and pulmonary disease Gum diseases are known to worsen the chronic inflammation in lung diseases such as asthma and COPD. Infected and inflamed gums send distress signal that places rest of the body on alert. This leads to inflammation of lungs. Many inhaled anti-inflammatory bronchodialators cause dry mouth. This further leads to cavities and gum diseases. Chewing sugarless gum or candy can help you produce more saliva which will help in reducing the dry mouthPeriodontilis and renal dysfunctionPeople with renal dysfunction and on dialysis have been found to have higher prevalence of periodontitis. It is likely the decreased bone mineral density in such patients would increase risk for progressive alveolar bone loss from subsequent periodontal infections similar to what occurs in patients of osteoporosis.Psychosocial factorsRecent studies have shown that psycho-emotional stress may contribute to development of periodontal pathology.Stress activates central nervous system and resultant release of cortisol may cause depression in the immune response. This provides periodontal bacteria an opportunity to proliferate and possibly invade the tissues, eventually causing more extensive inflammatory response.Periodontitis and DiabetesPeriodontitis is stated to be the sixth complication of Diabetes. There is a clear relationship between degree of hyperglycaemia and severity ofperiodontitis. The risk of periodontitis is increased approximately threefold in people with Diabetes as compared to non-diabetics.The studies have shown a two-way relationship between Diabetes and Periodontitis - not only does Diabetes or poor glycaemic control increase risk for periodontitis but also periodontitis has a negative effect on glycaemic control.Both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes mellitus are associated with elevated inflammatory markers, whereby cytokines play a central role in the host's response to periodontal biofilm. (Cytokines mar soluble proteins that confer instructions and mediate communication among immune andnon-immune cells. Biofilm is the collection of microscopic living things that grow together within a substance that they produce. When not removed regularly, these bacteria cause problems such as periodontal disease, gingivitis, and cavities). It explains the immune-biological connection between Diabetes and periodontal diseases.Periodontal infection can contribute to the low grade general inflammation associated with Diabetes thus aggravating insulin resistance and glycaemic control in people with Diabetes.TreatmentThe treatment of periodontitis is associated with significant reduction in HbAlc levels (i.e. approximately by 0.4 per cent).The treatment includes:Non-surgical treatments• Scaling - Removes tartar, calculus, bacteria from your tooth surface and beneath your gums using ultrasonic device.• Root planning- Root planning smoothens root surface discouraging build-up of tartar and bacteria contributing to healing and reattachment of the gums to tooth surface.Surgical treatments• Flap surgery• Soft tissue grafts• Bone graftsLifestyle changes• Brush twice daily using an electric toothbrush for effective cleaning and plaque removal.• Rinse after every meal or snack.• Floss daily.• Use interdental brush or a water flosser recommended by your dentist• Don't smoke or chew tobacco.• Take regular dental appointments for professional teeth cleaningPeriodontal infection can contribute to the low grade general inflammation associated with Diabetes thus aggravating insulin resistance and glycaemic control in people with Diabetes.TreatmentThe treatment of periodontitis is associated with significant reduction in HbAlc levels (i.e. approximately by 0.4 per cent).The treatment includes:Non-surgical treatments• Scaling - Removes tartar, calculus, bacteria from your tooth surface and beneath your gums using ultrasonic device.• Root planning- Root planning smoothens root surface discouraging build-up of tartar and bacteria contributing to healing and reattachment of the gums to tooth surface.Surgical treatments• Flap surgery• Soft tissue grafts• Bone graftsLifestyle changes• Brush twice daily using an electric toothbrush for effective cleaning and plaque removal.• Rinse after every meal or snack.• Floss daily.• Use interdental brush or a water flosser recommended by your dentist• Don't smoke or chew tobacco.• Take regular dental appointments for professional teeth cleaningPeriodontal infection can contribute to the low grade general inflammation associated with Diabetes thus aggravating insulin resistance and glycaemic control in people with Diabetes.TreatmentThe treatment of periodontitis is associated with significant reduction in HbAlc levels (i.e. approximately by 0.4 per cent).The treatment includes:Non-surgical treatments• Scaling - Removes tartar, calculus, bacteria from your tooth surface and beneath your gums using ultrasonic device.• Root planning- Root planning smoothens root surface discouraging build-up of tartar and bacteria contributing to healing and reattachment of the gums to tooth surface.Surgical treatments• Flap surgery• Soft tissue grafts• Bone graftsLifestyle changes• Brush twice daily using an electric toothbrush for effective cleaning and plaque removal.• Rinse after every meal or snack.• Floss daily.• Use interdental brush or a water flosser recommended by your dentist• Don't smoke or chew tobacco.• Take regular dental appointments for professional teeth cleaning Dr Nikita Desai is a Consulting Dentist.
