Gingivitis and periodontitis

Gingivitis is an infection caused by harmful bacteria of the dental plaque – a soft film which sticks to teeth and gums. Bacteria release poisonous substances, which irritate the gums, make them bleeding, swollen, red and sensitive. The inflammation can be around one or more teeth or in the whole dentition. In gingivitis, the attachment apparatus that holds the tooth in the bone socket is not yet disrupted. However, if the gingivitis is left untreated for too long, it often progresses into the feared periodontitis. The first symptom of gingivitis is reddening, swelling of the gum edge, bleeding of the gum while brushing the teeth or eating, tenderness of gums; but in most cases it does not hurt.

The main causes are the dental tartar, dental plaque, insufficient oral hygiene, too hard toothbrush, smoking, stress.

Gingivitis can be prevented by proper oral hygiene, proper technique of brushing the teeth and interdental spaces with interdental brushes and dental floss. You may find our offer of these good-quality aids in our E-shop. In addition, we recommend that you have the dental tartar removed regularly and use the Dr. Landa's Herbal Mouthwash.

In this stage it is best to use the Dr. Landa's Herbal Mouthwash, which reduces the harmful bacteria population of the oral cavity. It is highly recommended for prevention of gingivitis, too.

Periodontitis

Periodontitis is a very common disease affecting approximately 1/3 of the population of the Czech Republic aged 35-40 years, of both sexes; naturally, the frequency of occurrence of periodontitis increases with age. Broadly speaking, if we include the chronic gingivitis into the statistics as an early stage of periodontitis, we can say that 80-85% of the population are in need of a treatment.

Periodontitis (periodontal disease) is a bacterial inflammation of the supportive tissues of a tooth (periodontium), which is often preceded by inflammation of the gums (gingivitis). The body reacts to this infection by producing substances causing a destruction of ligament attached to the tooth and by decomposition of the bone socket of the tooth. This leads to a gradual loosening of the teeth, which can end up in their loss. Periodontitis is dangerous due to the fact that its progression usually does not hurt.

Periodontitis manifests itself especially in receding gums, bleeding gums and bad breath. In later stages the teeth are loose due to the destroyed ligament around the tooth, and the final stage is loss of the teeth. Unfortunately, many people do not notice any symptoms. The dentist can recognize the disease by careful examination of the gums with a special probe or by making an X-ray picture, which clearly shows the alveolar bone loss. The only measure which can prevent the occurrence of periodontitis or treat it at an early stage is the proper oral hygiene technique and application of the Dr. Landa's Herbal Mouthwash.

What are the main symptoms of periodontitis? It manifests itself by gingivitis, gums bleeding and bad breath, periodontal pockets, damaging of dental cement and a gradual elimination of ligaments and the bone. While gingivitis is visible with the naked eye and the periodontal pocket is just as easily measurable with a special probe, the bone loss can only be detected on an X-ray picture. A very important fact is that chronic gingivitis and initial periodontitis do not hurt! That is why many patients do not go to the dentist until their periodontium is seriously damaged.

A person who does not brush their teeth properly, usually suffers of chronic gingivitis. If the microbial film has enough time, the defensive effort of the body is in vain and the inflammation progresses further and deeper. And that is how periodontitis is created. If the patient's care of their oral cavity is insufficient, both the defensive activity of the body and any efforts made to stop or treat periodontitis are in vain.

A perfect means of prevention of periodontitis, as well as treatment of later stages of the disease, is the Dr. Landa's Herbal Mouthwash.

Treatment of periodontitis

The main part of the treatment of periodontitis is managing the oral hygiene. This means, in the first place, to master the proper use of the mechanical means for removing the dental microbial film. Classic and interdental toothbrushes, a dental floss and a top-quality mouthwash – these are the basics necessary for the perfect care, and, last but not least, application of the Dr. Landa's Herbal Mouthwash, which can bring relief to the patient already during the first days of application.

Dental plaque

It is a whitish sticky substance which sticks to the teeth and contains a large number of bacteria. After brushing the teeth, the dental plaque is very quickly renewed. Some kinds of bacteria in the dental plaque participate mainly in the creation of dental caries and others lead to gingivitis and, subsequently, periodontitis. The harmful influence of microorganisms has been repeatedly proved and the dental caries is at present deemed to be the most significant cause of periodontitis. Its continuous removal by all available means of oral hygiene is therefore absolutely essential. In addition, as a complement to the mechanical removal of the dental plaque by the toothbrush, it is recommended that the creation of dental plaque be reduced by using preparations for a chemic control of the plaque. A preparation for indication of the dental plaque along with other aids can be found in Our E-shop.

If the plaque is not removed regularly, it is gradually deposited and transformed into dental tartar. This sediment then irritates the gum and provides a bigger space for the growth of bacterial infection.

Dental tartar

It is a hard film which is sedimented in case of insufficient dental care on the surface of the teeth, especially on their bottom rear side, where there are salivary glands outputs. If tartar is not removed in time, it penetrates under the gums, which become detached and facilitate the creation of infection which invades the dental cement and decalcifies the tooth. If the gums are not cured, the infection progresses further into the attachment apparatus of the teeth, and the teeth are loose and lost.

Proper toothbrushing cannot remove the tartar which was once created, but can effectively prevent the tartar from deposition. Where there is no dental plaque, no dental tartar occurs.

Removal of the tartar is a time-consuming activity and it is completely performed by the dentist.

The visible tartar above the gum can be removed by a variety of hand tools, and several appliances can be used successfully as well, such as e.g. the ultrasonic tartar remover, without any serious risk of injury to the gum or damage to the surface of teeth. Tartar which is "hidden" in the periodontal pocket is usually much harder than tartar above the gum, and, furthermore, sticks more firmly to the surface of the tooth. However, there are special tools (called curette) developed only for this difficult task.

A long-term application of Dr. Landa's Herbal Mouthwash proved a reduced creation of tartar.