Pyorrhea or Periodontitis is a severe and advanced stage of a gum disease called Gingivitis. Gingivitis is a gum disease of relatively less intensity. During that, Gingiva becomes red and swollen. Gingiva is that part of the gum which surrounds the teeth’s base. If Gingivitis is ignored and neglected, it can worsen the condition and further lead to inflammation and infection that causes Pyorrhea.
Pyorrhea is a silent disease as its patient cannot feel significant symptoms for a long time. So, it is better to see a dentist if the minor swelling remains even after basic home remedies. Failing to do so can only worsen the situation as in Pyorrhea, the patient’s gums leave their place in the tooth cervix, which can lead to the loss of teeth.
Gingivitis, an initial stage of Pyorrhea
Initially, the patient’s gums become red and swollen and are often accompanied by minor bleeding. This condition is known as Gingivitis and is usually painless. A person with Gingivitis can have bad breath and taste. There can be many causes of Gingivitis. It can be commonly found in people who don’t take good care of their oral hygiene, smoke a lot and don’t brush their teeth properly. These habits often lead to a gradual formation of tartar and accumulation of plaque and hence inviting diseases like Gingivitis and Pyorrhea. Hormonal changes and some diseases like diabetes and leukaemia can also become the cause of Gingivitis in some cases. It only worsens if it is not treated immediately. Worst can be that the dentist will strongly advise you to get your affected tooth removed.
Pyorrhea: Causes and treatment
The most common cause of Pyorrhea is negligence. The patient cannot feel pain; hence it keeps on growing silently and then surprises you. People often consider strong brushing as the cause of bleeding, and the actual condition gets hidden. Not fulfilling the requirement of a few vitamins and minerals can also lead to Pyorrhea and can have a serious blow on the immune system. Genetic predisposition and a few kinds of cardiac medications can also increase the risk for someone to be diagnosed with Pyorrhea.
Regular polishing and scaling of teeth can become helpful in treating Pyorrhea, as it removes the tough tartar and prevents plaque from being trapped inside. Also brushing your teeth properly and regularly can prevent from Pyorrhea happening in the first place. Dentists sometimes also advise surgeries if the condition gets worse. But usually, one can follow these tips discussed above to prevent themselves from being a victim of Pyorrhea.
