Periodontitis (Enfermedad de las Encias)

PERIODONTITIS
Periodontitis is a disease of the gums caused by bacterial plaque that accumulates on the teeth if they are not cleaned correctly. Without treatment, it damages the gums and slowly destroys the bone around the roots of the teeth until they are weakened or so loose that they may need to be extracted.
Periodontitis can cause the following:
Swollen gums - Which can cause them to redden and bleed easily.
Bad breath - Caused by the accumulated bacteria giving off hydrogen sulfide gases.
Pain or discomfort - In some cases, periodontitis can become a painful infection, but in most cases, it progresses without pain.
Gum recession - The gums usually start to shrink after the bone destruction advances.
Loose teeth - This is seen in advanced periodontal disease and may require extraction of the hopeless teeth.
Exposed roots - This is seen as a result of the recession of the gums and may be associated with sensitivity.
Pus or drainage from the gums - These signs of infection are often missed in the molar areas of the mouth.
Periodontitis causes spaces between the gums and roots called pockets. When these pockets are deep, bacteria accumulates in them and cannot be removed by daily brushing or flossing, allowing the disease to worsen.
The treatment for periodontitis consists in first, eliminating all accumulations of calculus, bacterial plaque and roughness on the root surface and under the gum; the procedure is called "scaling and root planing". This detoxification is like a deep cleaning that reduces the inflamation of the gums. When the periodontitis has advanced and destroyed bone, the treatment may also require gum surgery to remodel defects in the bone and eliminate the existing pockets, thus permitting easy access to all areas for daily brushing and flossing.
Periodontal disease is caused by the bacteria in the plaque when we allow it to accumulate around our teeth at the gumline. If proper brushing and flossing are not followed throughout life, it (periodontitis) can reoccur, even after deep cleanings and surgery of the gums.
It is your responsibility to follow plaque control instructions carefully and to keep your regular maintenance visits to help prevent the recurrence of the disease process.