Periodontitis, also known as gum disease, is one of the most common oral health conditions and can lead to serious complications, including tooth loss. It is an inflammatory condition affecting the tissues surrounding the teeth, often caused by a build-up of bacterial plaque and tartar. In the early stages, the disease can be painless and go unnoticed. In advanced cases, it can cause bleeding gums, pain and, ultimately, tooth loss. How is periodontitis treated? Read on to find out.
Causes and symptoms of periodontitis
Periodontitis, also called gum disease, is a serious inflammatory condition affecting the tissues around the teeth. Its progression weakens the teeth and eventually leads to their loss. Understanding the causes and symptoms of periodontitis is key to early detection and effective treatment.
1. Causes of periodontitis
- Build-up of bacterial plaque — the main cause of periodontitis is the accumulation of plaque, which is rich in bacteria. If it is not removed regularly through brushing and flossing, it can harden into tartar, which is much more difficult to remove and leads to gum inflammation.
- Smoking — smoking is one of the most significant risk factors for periodontitis. Tobacco worsens oral health by reducing the body’s ability to fight infection.
- Medical conditions — conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and rheumatoid arthritis can negatively affect the health of the gums, increasing the risk of periodontitis.
- Poor oral hygiene — inadequate oral hygiene, including improper brushing and infrequent flossing, contributes to the development of periodontitis.
- Genetic predisposition — in some cases, genetic factors can increase a person’s susceptibility to periodontitis.
2. Symptoms of periodontitis
- Bleeding gums — usually the first sign, most noticeable during brushing or flossing.
- Red, swollen gums — the gums become painful, red and swollen as a result of inflammation.
- Bad breath — an unpleasant smell can be a sign of infection caused by periodontal bacteria.
- Loose teeth — in advanced cases of periodontitis, teeth can become loose or start to shift.
Treatment of periodontitis
Periodontitis can be treated using several methods. Below we outline the most important ones.
Scaling
Scaling is one of the fundamental dental procedures, playing a key role in the prevention and treatment of gum disease, including periodontitis. It involves mechanically removing plaque and tartar from the surfaces of the teeth. Scaling is recommended primarily as a preventive measure, helping to maintain the health of the gums and teeth. It is performed regularly during routine check-ups to keep oral hygiene at a high level. However, for patients already showing early signs of periodontitis — such as bleeding or inflamed gums — scaling becomes part of the treatment. It helps to halt the progression of the disease by removing the bacteria responsible for the inflammation.
Curettage
Curettage is a specialist dental procedure that plays an important role in treating gum disease, including periodontitis. It involves cleaning the gum pockets of accumulated plaque, tartar and other dead tissue. This helps the gums reattach to the teeth and reduces the risk of further infection spreading. Curettage can be open or closed.
- Open curettage — a more invasive procedure, usually used in advanced cases of gum disease. It requires an incision in the gums to gain direct access to the tooth roots and bone. This allows more thorough removal of infected tissue and deeper root planing. After the procedure, the gums are stitched back in place, allowing them to reattach more securely to the teeth.
- Closed curettage — less invasive, this involves removing plaque and tartar from the pockets and tooth roots using special instruments. It is often performed alongside scaling, particularly in early stages of periodontitis where there is no significant tissue or bone damage yet.
Flap surgery
Surgical treatment of periodontitis, particularly flap surgery, is an advanced procedure used when conventional methods such as scaling or curettage prove insufficient. Flap surgery is recommended mainly when there has been significant damage to the tissues and structures supporting the tooth, including deep gum pockets and bone loss.
During flap surgery, the dental surgeon makes an incision in the gums to create a flap, which is then gently folded back to access the tooth roots and surrounding bone. This allows thorough removal of tartar and infected tissue, as well as regenerative procedures such as rebuilding lost bone or soft tissue.
After removing the causes of inflammation and completing any regenerative procedures, the gum flap is carefully repositioned and secured with sutures. The aim of the procedure is not only to eliminate the sources of infection, but also to rebuild and stabilise the structures supporting the tooth — which is key to long-term oral health.
Summary
Treating periodontitis — a serious inflammatory condition affecting the tissues surrounding the teeth — requires a comprehensive approach. The key methods are scaling, curettage (both open and closed) and flap surgery, used depending on the severity of the disease. Scaling focuses on removing plaque and tartar, while curettage cleans the gum pockets of bacteria and dead tissue. In more advanced cases, flap surgery allows for thorough cleaning of infected areas and, where necessary, regeneration of lost bone tissue.
