Botulinum treatments, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and other treatments
Gum Diseases and Their Treatment
Oral health has a significant impact on a person’s overall health. Although dental caries, or tooth decay, has declined in our country, gingivitis and periodontitis —which destroys the attachment of teeth to the jawbone—are still common. This is partly due to the fact that, with the exception of tooth decay, oral diseases often progress insidiously and unnoticed.
Gingivitis
Almost every Finn requires treatment for gingivitis. In addition to gingivitis, the vast majority of people over the age of 40 suffer from some form of periodontitis. Only a small portion of the population, about 10%, suffers from severe periodontitis.
Gingivitis is caused by bacterial plaque that accumulates on the gum line and especially between the teeth. Tartar, excess fillings and crowns, and unfilled cavities increase the accumulation of bacterial plaque.
Periodontitis
Periodontitis refers to the destruction of the tissue that attaches teeth to the jawbone. If teeth are not cleaned sufficiently, bacterial plaque grows rapidly and gingivitis develops. Bacterial plaque inflames and opens the gum pocket. As bacteria grow under the gums, there is a risk of damage to the tooth attachment, which, if left untreated, develops into periodontitis.
In addition to bacteria, periodontitis can also be caused by other factors such as a tendency to develop tartar, crowded teeth, malocclusion, many general illnesses and medications, and especially smoking.
Treatment of gum disease
Since gum disease is caused by bacterial plaque, treatment involves its regular removal. Daily tooth cleaning is an effective way to treat and prevent gum disease. Dental staff contribute to the success of home care through their own efforts and guidance. However, it is important to remember that even treated gum disease requires regular maintenance.
Treatment of periodontitis
The goal of periodontitis treatment is to stop the loss of attachment tissue. During the basic treatment phase, bacterial plaque and tartar are removed using special instruments, usually under local anesthesia. If necessary, tablet-based or local antimicrobial treatment can also be used in combination with deep cleaning of the gum pockets and tooth root surfaces. In this case, a bacterial sample is taken from the deepened gum pockets and antimicrobial treatment is targeted at the bacteria cultured from the gum pocket sample. If the inflammation has progressed far into the periodontal tissue, various gum surgery treatments may be used.
With treatment, the inflammation disappears, causing the gums to recede, which may make the teeth appear longer and the spaces between them wider than before. The treatment of advanced periodontitis often requires cooperation with other dental specialists.
Basic or specialized treatment of gum disease is always followed by maintenance treatment. The patient must then attend regular check-ups at individual intervals. During these check-ups, the situation is assessed and any necessary supportive care measures can be easily carried out. Dental hygienists contribute to the basic and maintenance treatment of gum disease.
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