Periodontitis adalah infeksi gusi serius yang merusak jaringan lunak dan tulang yang menyangga gigi anda.

Periodontitis dapat menyebabkan gigi tanggal atau yang lebih buruk, meningkatnya risiko serangan jantung atau stroke dan masalah kesehatan serius lainnya. Periodontitis adalah umum tetapi dapat dicegah. Periodontitis biasanya diakibatkan kurangnya kebersihan mulut. Menyikat gigi setiap hari dan berkumur serta pemeriksaan rutin dapat mengurangi risiko terkena periodontitis. Gejala : Tanda dan gejala periodontitis antara lain:

Gusi bengkak Gusi merah terang atau keunguan Gusi terasa kebal ketika disentuh Gusi yang terdorong maju, membuat gigi terlihat lebih panjang Jarak yang timbul di antara gigi Napas bau Rasa tidak enak pada mulut Gigi tanggal Perubahan pada bentuk barisan gigi

Ada beberapa jenis periodontitis. Yang paling umum adalah jenis periodontitis kronis yang paling banyak menyerang mereka yang berusia lebih dari 35 tahun. Periodontitis yang dimulai pada masa kanak-kanak dan mereka yang berusia muda disebut periodontitis agresif. Penyebab & Faktor Risiko Penyebab Plak pada gigi dicurigai merupakan penyebab periodontitis. Plak terbentuk pada gigi ketika zat tepung dan gula pada makanan berinteraksi dengan bakteri yang secara normal ditemukan pada mulut. Plak yang tidak dihilangkan lebih dari dua sampai tiga hari dapat mengeras di bawah lapisan gusi dan menjadi Tartar. Tartar membuat plak lebih sulit dibersihkan dan anda membutuhkan pembersihan gigi oleh professional. Faktor risiko Faktor yang dapat meningkatkan risiko periodontitis antara lain:

Gingivitis Keturunan Rendah kebersihan gigi Penggunaan tembakau Diabetes Berusia lanjut Rendahnya imunitas tubuh, seperti pada mereka dengan leukemia atau HIV/AIDS Kurang gizi Obat tertentu

Perubahan hormon, seperti yang berkaitan dengan kehamilan Penyalahgunaan zat

Pencegahan Cara terbaik mencegah periodontitis adalah menjaga kebersihan mulut dengan baik secara konsisten seperti menyikat gigi secara teratur. Selain itu secara rutin periksakan kondisi gigi anda ke dokter gigi.

Radang Gusi (Gingivitis) adalah peradangan pada gusi yang ditandai dengan adanya perubahan bentuk dan warna gusi. Gingivitis sering terjadi dan bisa timbul kapan saja setelah timbulnya gigi. Gusi tampak merah. Peradangan pada gusi dapat terjadi pada satu atau 2 gigi, tetapi juga dapat terjadi pada seluruh mulut. Gusi menjadi mudah berdarah karena rangsangan yang kecil seperti saat menyikat gigi, atau bahkan tanpa rangsangan (pendarahan pada gusi dapat terjadi kapan saja).

< Gambar Gusi Meradang Apa penyebab Gingivitis ? Radang gusi (gingivitis) disebabkan oleh beberapa faktor, misalnya 1. Adanya karang gigi, 2. Bakteri, 3. Sisa makanan (plak) pada gigi, 4. Cara menyikat gigi yang salah, 5. bernafas melalui mulut. Karena bernafas melalui mulut membuat gigi menjadi kering dan gusi mudah teriritasi. 6. Stress, sering merokok, pubertas, haid tidak teratur, kehamilan dan faktor lain yaitu Diabetes Melitus (DM). Apa saja Tanda dan Gejalanya ? - Biasanya mengeluh mulut bau, gusi bengkak mudah berdarah, tanpa nyeri, hanya kadang terasa gatal. - Pada pemeriksaan gusi tampak bengkak, berwarna lebih merah dan mudah berdarah pada sondasi. - Kebersihan mulut biasanya buruk. - Salah satu bentuk radang gusi adalah perikoronitis yang gejalanya lebih berat, yaitu demam, dan sukar membuka mulut. Bagaimana cara mencegah timbulnya Gingivitis? - Rajin memperbaiki kebersihan mulut dan berkumur dengan obat kumur. - Rajin menggsok gigi secara benar dan teratur sesuai anjuran dokter, minimal 2 kali sehari. - Bersihkan rongga mulut setiap 3 atau 6 bulan sekali. - Bersihkan karang gigi oleh dokter gigi. - Bila sudah terjadi radang gusi dan dengan perbaikan kebersihan tidak sembuh, obati dengan antibiotic Amoksisilin 500 mg 3 x sehari selama 5 hari, Anti nyeri dan anti inflamasi. - Banyak mengonsumsi buah-buahan yang mengonsumsi vitamin C karena berkhasiat sebagai antioksidan dan

meningkatkan kekebalan tubuh. Sumber vitamin C alami banyak terdapat pada buah-buahan segar seperti jambu biji, jeruk, tomat, sirsak dan mangga. - Menurut penelitian, brokoli dapat mencegah terjadinya infeksi termasuk infeksi kuman penyebab radang gusi. - Hindari rokok karena dapat meningkatkan reiko terkena radang gusi. - Banyak minum air putih.

Gingivitis occurs before periodontitis. Gingivitis usually refers to gum inflammation while periodontitis refers to gum disease and the destruction of tissue and/or bone. Initially, with gingivitis, bacteria plaque accumulates on the surface of the tooth, causing the gums to go red and inflamed; teeth may bleed when brushing them. Even though the gums are irritated and bothersome, the teeth are not loose. There is no irreversible damage to bone or surrounding tissue. Untreated gingivitis can progress to periodontitis. With periodontitis, the gum and bone pulls away from the teeth, forming large pockets. Debris collects in the spaces between the gums and teeth, and infect the area. The patient's immune system attacks bacteria as the plaque spreads below the gum line. Bone and connective tissue that hold the tooth start to break down - this is caused by toxins produced by the bacteria. Teeth become loose and can fall out. Put simply, Periodontitis involves irreversible changes to the supporting structures of the teeth, while gingivitis does not.

What are the signs and symptoms of periodontitis

A symptom is something we feel and describe to the doctor, while a sign is something others, including the doctor can see. For example, pain is a symptom while redness or inflammation is a sign. Periodontitis signs and symptoms can include:

Inflamed (swollen) gums, gum swelling recurs Gums are bright red, sometimes purple Gums hurt when touched Gums recede, making teeth look longer Extra spaces appear between the teeth Pus may appear between the teeth and gums Bleeding when brushing teeth Bleeding when flossing Metallic taste in the mouth Halitosis (bad breath) Loose teeth The patient's "bite" feels different because the teeth do not fit the same

What are the causes of periodontitis?

Dental plaque forms on teeth - this is a pale-yellow biofilm that develops naturally on teeth. If is formed by bacteria that try to attach themselves to the tooth's smooth surface.

Brushing teeth gets rid of plaque, but it soon builds up; within a day or so.

If it is not removed, within two or three days it hardens into tartar. Tartar is much harder to remove than plaque. Another name for tartar is calculus. Getting rid of tartar requires a professional - you cannot do it yourself.

Plaque can gradually and progressively damage teeth and surrounding tissue. At first, the patient may develop gingivitis - inflammation of the gum around the base of the teeth.

Persistent gingivitis can result in pockets developing between the teeth and gums. These pockets fill up with bacteria.

Bacterial toxins and our immune system's response to infection start destroying the bone and connective tissue that hold teeth in place. Eventually the teeth start becoming loose, and can even fall out.

What are the risk factors for periodontitis?

A risk factor is something that increases the risk of developing a condition or disease. For example, obesity is a risk factor for diabetes type 2 - this means that obese people have a higher chance of developing diabetes. The following risk factors are linked to a higher risk of periodontitis:

Smoking - regular smokers are much more likely to develop gum problems. Smoking also undermines the efficacy of treatments.

Hormonal changes in females - puberty, pregnancy, and the menopause are moments in life when a female's hormones undergo changes. Such changes raise the risk of developing gum diseases. Diabetes - patients who live with diabetes have a much higher incidence of gum disease than other individuals of the same age

AIDS - people with AIDS have more gum diseases Cancer - cancer, and some cancer treatments can make gum diseases more of a problem Some drugs - some medications that reduce saliva are linked to gum disease risk. Genetics - some people are more genetically susceptible to gum diseases

Diagnosing periodontitis
A qualified dentist should find it fairly straightforward to diagnose periodontitis. The dentist will ask the patient questions regarding symptoms and carry out an examination of his/her mouth. The dentist will examine the patient's mouth using a periodontal probe - a thin, silver stick-like object with a bend at one end. The probe is inserted next to the tooth, under the gum line. If the tooth is healthy, the probe should not slide far below the gum line. In cases of periodontitis, the probe will reach deeper under the gum line.

Two types of periodontal probes. 1. Michigan O Probe (left). 2. Naber's Probe (right) The dentist may order an X-ray to see what condition the jaw bone and teeth are in.

What are the treatment options for periodontitis?

The main aim of the periodontist, dentist or dental hygienist, when treating periodontitis, is to clean out bacteria from the pockets around the teeth and prevent further destruction of bone and tissue. For best treatment results, the patient must maintain good oral hygiene and care. This involves brushing teeth at least twice a day and flossing once per day. If there is enough space between the teeth, an interdental brush (Proxi-brush) is recommended. Soft-picks can be used when the space between the teeth is smaller. Patients with arthritis, and others with dexterity problems may find that using an electric toothbrush is better for a thorough clean. It is important that the patient understands that periodontitis is a chronic (long-term) inflammatory disease this means oral hygiene must be maintained for life. This will also involve regular visits to a dentist or dental hygienist. Initial treatment It is important to remove plaque and calculus (tartar) to restore periodontal health. The healthcare professional will use clean (non-surgically) below the gumline. This procedure is called scaling and debridement. Sometimes an ultrasonic device may be used. In the past Root Planing was used (the cemental layer was removed, as well as calculus). Medications

Prescription antimicrobial mouthrinse - for example chlorhexidine. It controls bacteria when treating gum disease, as well as after surgery. Patients use it like they would a regular mouthwash.

Antiseptic "chip" - this is a small piece of gelatin which is filled with chlorhexidine. It controls bacteria and reduces periodontal pocket size. This medication is placed in the pockets after root planing. The medication is slowly resealed over time.

Antibiotic gel - a gel that contains doxycycline, an antibiotic. This medication controls bacteria and shrinks periodontal pockets. It is placed in the pockets after scaling and root planing. It is a slow-release medication.

Antibiotic microspheres - miniscule particles containing minocycline, an antibiotic. Also used to control bacteria and reduce periodontal pocket size. They are placed into pockets after scaling and root planing. A slow-release medication.

Enzyme suppressant - keeps destructive enzymes in check with a low-dose of doxycycline. Some enzymes can break down gum tissue, this medication holds back the body's enzyme response. Taken orally as a pill, and is used with scaling and root planing.

Oral antibiotics - either in capsule or tablet form and are taken orally. They are used short-term for the treatment of acute or locally persistent periodontal infection. Advanced periodontitis If good oral hygiene and non-surgical treatments are not enough, the following surgical interventions may be required:

Flap surgery - the healthcare professional performs flap surgery to remove calculus in deep pockets, or to reduce the pocket so that keeping it clean is easier. The gums are lifted back and the tarter is removed. The gums are then sutured back into place so they fit closely to the tooth. After surgery, the gums will heal and high tightly around the tooth. In some cases the teeth may eventually seem longer than they used to.

Bone and tissue grafts - this procedure helps regenerate bone or gum tissue that has been destroyed. With bone grafting, new natural or synthetic bone is placed where bone was lost, promoting bone growth. In a procedure called guided tissue regeneration, a small piece of mesh-like material is inseted between the gum tissue and bone. This stops the gum from growing into bone space, giving the bone and connective tissue a chance to regrow. The dentist may also use special proteins (growth factors) that help the body regrow bone naturally. The dental professional may suggest a soft tissue graft - tissue taken from another part of the mouth, or synthetic material is used to cover exposed tooth roots. Experts say it is not possible to predict how successful these procedures are - each case is different. Treatment results also depend on how advanced the disease is, how well the patient adheres to a good oral hygiene program, as well as other factors, such as smoking status.

What are the complications of periodontitis?

The most common complication from periodontitis is the loss of teeth. However, patients with periodontitis are also at a higher risk of having respiratory problems, stroke, coronary artery disease, and low birth weight babies. Pregnant women with bacterial infections that cause moderate-to-severe periodontal disease have a higher risk of having a premature baby. Periodontitis can make it harder for patients with diabetes to control blood sugar.