Risk factors: from smoking to stress
Cigarettes: a stab in your gums
Are you a smoker? Bad news. Not only does periodontitis lurk around you, but it progresses much faster in you than in your non-smoking friends. And even if you brush your teeth thoroughly, it doesn’t help: bone loss is almost inevitable and periodontal pockets multiply like mushrooms after rain. Worse still, treatments to save your gums or place dental implants are often less effective.
The figures are overwhelming: 90% of cases of treatment-resistant periodontitis concern smokers. So, what are you waiting for to quit that last cigarette? The good news is that all is not lost. After a year without smoking, your gums begin to respond positively to care.
Genetics: when nature gets involved
As is often the case, genes don’t do you any favours. Some people, despite adopting impeccable oral hygiene, are simply more predisposed to developing periodontitis. If some in your family have lost teeth prematurely, beware. Your immune system may be less effective against harmful bacteria.
It reminds me of a discussion with a dentist who told me that two patients with apparently similar gums can react totally differently to the same treatment. In short, everyone plays with the cards that genetics has given them, but we can always adapt.
Age: time does not give gifts
“Time does things well,” it is sometimes said. Well, not for your gums. The older you get, the more likely you are to develop periodontitis. Most cases develop after 35 years, but what is particularly treacherous is that the disease progresses slowly. It is often only at an advanced stage that the extent of the damage is realised, often too late to avoid tooth loss. It’s a bit like that little crack in a wall that you ignore for years, until the day the house threatens to collapse.
And of course, with age also come other aggravating factors such as diabetes or a less alert immune system. It is no coincidence that many older patients end up with Dentures, often due to neglect of the first symptoms.
Diabetes and periodontitis
Diabetes and periodontitis are two formidable partners. On the one hand, poorly controlled diabetes increases the risk of periodontitis, and on the other hand, periodontitis worsens diabetes management. It’s a vicious circle that is difficult to break out of if the two problems are not taken care of together. The key? Strict control of blood sugar levels. Under these conditions, diabetic patients can hope to avoid periodontitis. And conversely, by treating periodontitis, it is easier to stabilize diabetes.
I often think of a loved one who, after discovering his periodontitis, ended up having a Diabetes screening test on the advice of his dentist. Result? He was indeed diabetic. A discovery that may have saved his life.
Stress and diet
We can’t say it enough: stress is bad for your health. But did you know that it can also be harmful to your gums? Yes, stress, especially if it’s chronic, can weaken the immune system, leaving the field open for bacteria to settle comfortably in your gums. Worse still, people who are stressed or depressed are often less likely to take care of their oral hygiene, which makes things worse.
As for food, it’s another pet peeve. Eat Processed products and Refined carbohydrates doesn’t just harm your waistline; This increases gum inflammation. It is therefore essential to watch what you put on your plate if you want to preserve your smile.
Preventing and treating periodontitis: a routine affair
Fortunately, periodontitis is quite possible. It starts with simple steps: Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes, use INTERD brush headsEntaries and conduct Antiseptic mouthwashes. Regular visits to the dentist are also essential. As the saying goes, “a small thing can avoid a big one,” and this has never been more true when it comes to dental health.
In mild periodontitis, a descaling and a Root planing are usually sufficient. This deep cleaning removes plaque and tartar, while smoothing the roots of the teeth to prevent bacteria from clinging to them. For more severe cases, surgery may be necessary, or even the extraction of irreparable teeth.
The message is simple: take care of your gums before it’s too late. In this world where everything is moving faster and faster, your teeth can’t keep up if you don’t give them a little attention. So, don’t wait until you’re in pain, make an appointment with your dentist.
