Periodontitis is caused by the accumulation of dental plaque in the mouth. Bacteria forms and gradually travels to the teeth’s suspension system, where inflammation occurs. In the following, we will explain how to prevent periodontitis, how to recognize it in time, and how to treat your gums and teeth in the event of its onset.
Inflammatory diseases are caused by bacteria
Periodontitis is the inflammation of the periodontium. It is the disease of the tissue and bone suspension systems of teeth. It is an inflammatory disease caused by bacteria settling in the oral cavity. This bacterium gathers on the tooth enamel and forms a thin layer known as dental plaque. If plaque settles on the tooth, where tooth decay also occurs, it’s an optimal condition for the start of periodontitis. From the gums, inflammation then travels on to the supporting tissues of the teeth (periodontium). At the junction point of the tooth, the bacteria then begin to multiply rapidly, forming pus and causing pain.
Symptoms of periodontitis
Edited by: Wikimedia Commons, autor, CC BY-SA 4.0
It is optimal to tackle periodontitis by recognizing it at an early stage. It starts with an unpleasant redness of the gums, which are usually irritated and painful from the beginning of infection. Pain can be accompanied by bleeding, however sometimes bleeding occurs at a later stage.
When brushing your teeth, small dents and cracks can emerge, even if you don’t use excessive force. You can even recognize periodontitis by its smell, as it forms pus in the root of the tooth, causing bad breath.
If you do not notice the symptoms described above, in the next phase of the disease, the tooth will become loose. The solid supporting point of the tooth is actually diseased in the long-term and it causes a loss of stability. This is also related to the gradual detection of dry socket, as the gums begin to contract from the edges of the teeth. In untreated periodontitis, the patient may also lose their tooth irreversibly.
Proper teeth cleaning
Healthy, well-treated gums are firm and light pink.
The onset of periodontitis is associated with poor dental hygiene. With careless dental hygiene, more and more plaque and tartar gradually begin to form in the mouth. Both components then foster high levels of bacteria in the mouth.
Thus, the most important preventative measure is brushing your teeth thoroughly in the morning and evening. Of course, regular visits to the dentist are also recommended in order to catch any signs of periodontitis in time, as well as regular visits to a dental hygienist.
A dental hygienist will remove tartar, helping you get rid of tooth pigmentation and the coating that often precedes periodontitis. Part of the appointment with a dental hygienist will consist of an instructional technique overview for teeth cleaning, and an introduction to other dental aids.
If you think that cutting back on sweets will also reduce tooth decay simultaneously, you may be mistaken. It actually depends. Adding sugar to your tea or coffee does contribute to tooth decay. In order to change this, a good alternative is sweetening beverages with honey. Honey actually helps protect against bacteria causing tooth decay.
The best treatment is prevention
In addition to the brushing technique and frequency, the toothpaste you choose also affects the quality of your teeth. In our offer, you will find two toothpastes that can help you prevent various teeth problems.
Toothpaste with propolis is our traditional long-term recommended toothpaste, characterized by its fresh taste and aroma. It is refreshing but not too strong, and due to the anti-inflammatory effects of propolis, it fights bacteria growth, which is key in the development of periodontitis.
Toothpaste with propolis is also suitable for those already suffering from periodontitis.
Our new Toothpaste with propolis for fresh breath is made of natural ingredients and does not contain fluoride. Mint freshens the breath and propolis reduces bacteria.
This toothpaste contains, among other ingredients, a natural bleach, which gradually restores the enamel’s natural light tone. Its progressive and long-lasting effect allows whitening to develop progressively, and it is also suitable for sensitive teeth.
In the scope of oral hygiene, regularity and consistency are the most effective approaches. In addition to quality toothpaste and good teeth cleaning techniques, mouthwash will also help keep your teeth healthy.
Our Mouthwash with propolis has antimicrobial effects and contains chamomile extract, which brilliantly soothes the gums. While we all use a toothbrush to remove plaque and bacteria from the teeth, we rarely take care of our gums.
Regular use of mouthwash helps to strengthen gums, thereby reducing bleeding and tooth decay. In addition, you will also feel refreshed and have more fresh breath. Mouthwash also helps with chronic pain in sensitive teeth.
Our new alcohol free Herbal Mouthwash for everyday effective care of gum disease is a mixture of herbs that reduce gum sensitivity and predisposition to inflammation. The Herbal mouthwash helps reduce dental plaque formation, protect your teeth and maintain the oral cavity in perfect condition.
The mouthwash has a very interesting flavour of mint and ginger. The flavour gives you a pleasant taste and fresh breath.
Necessary tools
In addition to toothpaste and mouthwash, you should purchase interdental brushes for your dental hygiene collection. These clean up hard-to-reach interdental spaces where food might remain, allowing bacteria to grow. They are usually available in different sizes, distinguished by color codes.
A dentist will tell you the correct size of the interdental brush that suits you, or you can try the different sizes and determine for yourself which suits you best. Dental hygienists often ask their patients to take with them the tools they use to clean their teeth, and advise them on any adjustment needed. In addition to interdental brushes, you can also use dental floss and a dental irrigator (oral shower).
Can periodontitis be treated?
Dentist treatment for periodontitis consists of several steps. After a careful examination and assessment of teeth condition, the doctor focuses mainly on reducing bacteria present, the cause of the disease, and on creating optimal conditions for the disease to subside. In practice, the treatment of periodontitis at this stage often consists of removing decayed elements and teeth that can no longer be saved. The process might also include removing badly made tooth fillings, or inaccurately made crowns and bridges, which prevent proper teeth cleaning. Antibiotics may be part of this phase of treatment for periodontitis.
The second phase of the treatment is the removal of tartar and dental plaque. Tartar has a visible and invisible variant to the eye, and the doctor usually deals with both. Another important part of the treatment of periodontitis is the patient's habits at home - i.e., their correct and thorough brushing and gum massaging.
Periodontitis risk groups
Up to 80% of the population of our country suffers from mild to severe forms of periodontitis. Lifestyle, eating habits, and, above all, oral hygiene has a great influence on the development of the disease. Heavy smokers and pregnant women suffer from periodontitis most frequently. However, even with the onset of periodontitis, you may have certain genetic predispositions that can make you more likely to develop this condition.
Grandma's advice and home help with periodontitis
Tea, according to Marie Treben
The tea of the Austrian herbalist Marie Treben, who published the book Health from God's Pharmacy in the 1990s, is a joy to drink even today and rightly deserved great fame. Her tea, which helps relieve gum pain, is made up of herbs.
Prepare: oak bark, butterbur, bird's-foot-trefoil, sage
Procedure: Mix all herbs in a ratio of 1: 1: 1: 1 and infuse with cold water overnight. For 0.5 liters of water, you will need 2 heaping teaspoons of the herbal mixture. In the morning, strain the tea, heat it, and pour it into a thermos. You can then gargle it throughout the day. The more often, the better.
Clove and cinnamon tincture
The second effective aid is a cloves and cinnamon tincture. These common spices can be extremely effective in helping you prevent oral problems. Clove and cinnamon are a rich source of essential oils, thanks to which they have natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. In addition, clove has slight numbing effects, reason why our ancestors loved it when dentists were in short supply. To prevent periodontitis, it is recommended to use both spices in the form of a tincture.
Prepare: 10 g cloves, half a cinnamon stick, 500 ml alcohol (60%)
Procedure: Crush cloves and cinnamon and pour alcohol over the mixture. Allow to infuse for two weeks at room temperature. Then strain the tincture and store in the refrigerator. Use it diluted for gargling or drip it on a toothbrush to massage your gums.
Gum healing herbs
Other herbal helpers for the treatment of periodontitis are cinchona and horsetail. Both herbs are used for healing wounds and prevention of bleeding.
Cinquefoil is used in the form of a decoction of dried root. You will need half a teaspoon of dried root for one cup of water. Then rinse your mouth with the mixture after brushing your teeth.
The dried stem from horsetail is used. For a cup of water, you will need one to two teaspoons of the dried stem. Cook for about 15 minutes and let stand. You can gargle it, similarly to cinchona.
Other plants and raw materials also have an effect on the healing and soothing of the gums. In the kitchen you can reach for a lemon, which is full of antibacterial ingredients. You can massage the gums with it or rinse your mouth with its juice. However, since citric acid weakens tooth enamel, wait at least half an hour after applying lemon before putting any strain on your teeth - even by cleaning.
You can also use turmeric in the fight against periodontitis. From one teaspoon of turmeric, create a paste with the help of coconut oil. This will not only serve as a binder, but also has disinfectant and anti-inflammatory effects. Apply the paste to the gums – you can also lightly massage them – leave for 2-3 minutes, and then rinse mouth with water. Repeat every day before bed.
Your experience
„Propolis toothpaste relieves my periodontal bleeding.“
Markéta
„Propolis drops help my dental sockets. I have years of good experience with them.“
Jarmila
„My gums were always bleeding when I brushed my teeth. After your propolis paste for fresh breath, this problem has significantly improved.“
Ilona
„Mouthwash with propolis is an excellent means of preventing bleeding gums. I warmly recommend.“
Jiří
„Propolis paste for fresh breath is great. My socket stopped hurting. Fantastic!“
Jiřina
„I have periodontitis. With propolis toothpaste for fresh breath, my teeth and gums don’t hurt.“
Lenka
„Mouthwash with propolis is an excellent product in the mouthwash market. During pregnancy, I suffered from painful and bleeding gums. I was relieved the first time I used it. After a few days, the inflammation was gone. I highly recommend it; it is really effective.“
Katarina
„Mouthwash with propolis works on sore and bleeding gums.“
Bohunka
„I recommend toothpaste with propolis to anyone who has a problem with periodontitis.“
Evca
„Toothpaste with propolis has a calming effect on the mouth, with a pleasant taste and good consistency. My periodontitis, which began some time ago, calmed down. I hardly use any other toothpaste anymore.“
Jiřina
„I use propolis drops (tincture) against periodontitis and I have noticed improvements. I recommend this product to others.“
Karel
