Periodontitis: Causes and Risk Factors, Studio Dentaire Informs You

Your gums bleed regularly and you suffer from receding teeth ? These are the signs of periodontitis, a dental disease that gradually destroys the tooth’s support and attachment system. This pathology generally sets in and evolves over many years, and can have real consequences on health, hence the importance of consulting a specialist as soon as possible to stabilize the situation. Studio Dentaire has been providing tailor-made periodontal care and support in Lyon since 1999. Here, we answer your questions about periodontitis and its causes: how does the disease appear, what are the risk factors and how can you cope?

What is periodontitis and what are its symptoms?

Periodontitis is a periodontal disease that attacks the tooth’s support system (the periodontium), which consists of the gums, alveolar bone (the bone beneath the gums), ligament and cementum. Together, these tissues hold the teeth in place in the jaw. When periodontitis develops, it attacks these tissues and gradually destroys them. The first symptom to alert you is bleeding gums, either when brushing or spontaneously (when biting into an apple, for example, or when sleeping). This means that your gums (which often appear red and swollen) are suffering from inflammation. The inflammation may be benign (gingivitis), but if in doubt, it’s best to seek medical advice. Other symptoms may vary from person to person. They may remain discreet for years (gum irritation, bad breath, food getting stuck between teeth) before becoming more visible. When gaps (black holes) appear between teeth, teeth shift in the jaw, or the gums recede, revealing the roots of the teeth (loosening), the disease is often already well established.

How does periodontitis develop and what are the risk factors?

Schematically, periodontitis occurs when certain aggressive bacteria proliferate in plaque, gradually creating pockets that deepen and attack the supporting tissues of the teeth. Tartar appears around the teeth, on the surface of the gums but also underneath. How this happens, however, is a more complex question. While there are many symptoms associated with the disease, some of which, such as loosening of the teeth, leave little doubt as to the diagnosis, the causes of periodontitis can be manifold. That’s why, when Studio Dentaire welcomes you for an initial periodontology consultation in its Lyon office, your practitioner will review your general health with you before offering a full oral check-up. There are a number of risk factors associated with periodontitis:

untreated gingivitis: this inflammation of the gums, which causes irritation, swelling and bleeding, is benign and easily cured if treated in time. But if left untreated, it can develop into periodontitis.

lifestyle: smoking and chronic stress can contribute to the onset of the disease.

pre-existing pathologies: diabetes, hypertension, overweight or taking certain heavy medication are also risk factors.

the absence of cavities: although it may seem paradoxical, the bacteria responsible for cavities actually fight against those that trigger the onset of periodontitis.

you’ve already suffered from ulcero-necrotic gingivitis around the age of 18-20: this very painful form of gingivitis is accompanied by fever and ulcers of the gingival papillae. It is often triggered by the emergence of wisdom teeth in young adults.

the presence of the Interleukin 1 gene, often hereditary, can contribute to the onset of the disease.

One of these factors may be responsible for theonset of periodontitis, but it’s often a combination of causes that can add up.

How to treat periodontitis

There are many reasons for the development of periodontitis, but its consequences are irreversible. They can lead to tooth loss (usually after several decades), aggravate certain illnesses (diabetes, coronary disease…) or promote their onset if the infection passes into the general circulation. They can also trigger premature delivery in pregnant women. In this sense, the disease cannot be cured, but its evolution can be halted and the situation stabilized over the long term with appropriate care and follow-up. This is precisely what Studio Dentaire offers. You will be monitored by one of our three periodontal dentists in Lyon, who will draw up a tailor-made treatment program following a comprehensive oral assessment. Depending on the progress of the pathology (depth of periodontal pockets, bone involvement, etc.), we will offer you several lithotripsy sessions, once gingival inflammation has subsided. Lithotripsy is a gentle, painless method of removing tartar from under the gums. Tartar is the main source of bacteria that can settle and proliferate. Before the treatment begins, we’ll work with you to set up a home care program to reduce inflammation and prepare the gums for the treatment. Once the sessions are over, you will be offered a follow-up treatment, with appointments spaced several months apart to avoid recurrences. In some cases, an antibiotic treatment may be prescribed to eliminate particularly aggressive residual bacteria. It is advisable to maintain regular follow-up afterwards.

Good to know: the presence of an isolated factor does not mean that you will necessarily develop periodontitis during your lifetime, nor even that it is entirely responsible for the disease if it appears. Regular follow-up is nevertheless advisable if you are considered to be “at risk”. Our practitioners will be happy to answer your questions and advise you.