Periodontal diseases and measures for their prevention

Periodontal diseases, as well as dental caries, have become very widespread. According to WHO, about 95% of the world's adult population and 80% of children have some form of periodontal disease.

What is periodontium? The periodontium is a complex of tissues that surround the tooth and ensure its fixation in the jaw bones. This complex includes the gum, periodontal ligament connecting the tooth root to the bone socket, bone tissue of the alveolar processes and cementum of the tooth root. With various periodontal diseases, the pathological process may involve any part of the periodontal complex or the entire periodontium as a whole.

The nature of the pathological process can also be different: dystrophic, inflammatory or tumor. Among all periodontal diseases, 90-95% are inflammatory, such as gingivitis and periodontitis. Therefore, we will focus on them in more detail.

Gingivitis is an inflammatory process in the tissues of the gingival margin, in which only the superficial tissues of the gums are affected.

Periodontitis is an inflammatory process that involves all periodontal structures. It is characterized by the destruction of the periodontal junction and the progressive destruction of the alveolar processes of the jaw bones.

In fact, gingivitis and periodontitis are two interrelated forms of the disease, since the inflammatory process occurs first in the gum tissue, and gradually the underlying periodontal structures are involved: the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone.

What causes it?

Currently, the main local pathogenetic factors underlying inflammatory periodontal diseases have been established. This is the accumulation of dental plaque (microbial factor), disruption of the structure of the vestibule of the oral cavity, dental anomalies and supracontacts.

The inflammatory process in the gum tissue initially occurs due to massive microbial accumulations and the enzymes and toxins they secrete. While the inflammation is limited only to the gums, and the underlying tissues are not affected, we are dealing with gingivitis, which occurs with periods of exacerbation and remission, with varying degrees of activity in different patients.

What's happening?

The difference in the nature of the course of gingivitis is determined by the state of the general protective mechanisms in patients. That is why, with the absolute recognition of the microbial factor as a causative factor, the “interest” of the entire organism in the development and course of this seemingly purely local process was never questioned.

What complaints do patients have with gingivitis?

Most often these are complaints of bleeding gums. Bleeding gums during brushing are noted by almost all patients with gingivitis. There may also be complaints of pain and bleeding gums while eating. The general condition, with rare exceptions, is not disturbed.

When examining patients, as a rule, a large amount of soft dental plaque is determined, especially in the area of ​​​​the necks of the teeth. The gingival margin is usually hyperemic, swollen, and the gums bleed easily upon probing.

Since with gingivitis only superficial tissues are inflamed, easily accessible for viewing and targeted therapeutic interventions, the treatment of this disease is very effective.

Treatment

The main method of treatment and prevention of gingivitis is the removal of microbial accumulations, that is, hygienic measures. Hygiene products - pastes and toothbrushes - are the main weapon against inflammatory periodontal diseases.

Moreover, they act equally effectively against inflammation in the periodontium and against caries, since the microbial factor is the main factor in both cases.

However, despite the presence of such an effective and affordable preventive and therapeutic agent, the problem of inflammatory periodontal diseases remains very relevant.

Prevention

The problem of adequate hygienic oral care and instilling the necessary hygienic skills in children is extremely difficult. Today, there are quite a lot of hygiene products (pastes and brushes) on the domestic market.