Silent Killers: Understanding How Gingivitis and Periodontitis Can Gradually Destroy Your Teeth

Have you ever experienced the sharp, throbbing pain of a toothache that just won't quit? Or perhaps, you've felt a dull ache in your gums that persists even after brushing and flossing diligently? If so, you may be one of the millions of people worldwide who suffer from periodontitis, a common and often overlooked condition that can lead to serious dental problems if left untreated. Specifically, periodontal disease represents a slow and insidious death for the teeth, gradually “melting” away the bone tissue that holds the teeth firmly in place.

Periodontitis, specifically, is a pervasive oral health issue that affects millions of people worldwide, ranging from mild forms that can be treated easily to more severe cases that can result in tooth loss and require extensive medical intervention. Statistics show that severe periodontal disease affects 19% of the global population (1 billion people).  This makes it the sixth most common disease worldwide.

So what exactly is periodontitis, and how can you identify it before it's too late? Join us as we take a deep dive into the dynamic world of periodontal disease, exploring its genesis, symptoms, and potential treatment options.

Phase 1: Gingivitis

Periodontitis and its precursor, gingivitis often go unnoticed until significant damage has already been done and in many cases - irreversible. Gingivitis is essentially inflammation of the gums, which in its turn is an effect of plaque buildup from inadequate oral hygiene. The bacteria in plaque produce toxins that can damage the gums and cause them to pull away from the teeth, forming pockets where more bacteria can accumulate. This vicious cycle leads to deepening of the pockets, and the gums starting to recede, exposing the roots of the teeth. This can cause sensitivity, pain, and eventually, tooth loss.

Gingivitis gum comparison (Source dentevim)

Periodontal pocket and complications related to periodontitis (Source deardoctor.com)

Genetics and personal habits such as smoking and poor oral hygiene can also contribute to the development of gingivitis and periodontitis.

What can you do:

1. Maintain excellent dental hygiene by following the 3 mandatory steps – flossing, brushing and rinsing with mouthwash.
2. Turn to specialized dental care. There is a variety of products designed for irritated and bleeding gums.
   1. Flossing can be tricky since the gingivitis irritates the gums and makes them prone to bleeding thus flossing can be damaging for more severe cases and is not recommended if you notice pain of abnormal bleeding.
   2. Brushing. Nordics organic toothpaste for sensitive gums is an excellent suggestion. It contains bio extracts of aloe vera (calming), nettle and salvia (antibacterial), pomegranate (tightening action) in combination with zinc citrate that prevents plaque from sticking on the surface of the teeth. Also, it’s mandatory to use soft toothbrush in order not to further damage the swollen gums, still, you need to make sure you brush away the plaque diligently. Nordics ultra soft toothbrushes have 12,000 bristles that effectively but gently clean the surface of the tooth.
   3. Rinsing. Always use a mouthwash that contains some kind of antibacterial agent in order to create a synergy action with the toothpaste. Rinsing also helps wash away the particles pushed to the surface after flossing.
3. Prophylaxis is crucial but if you notice one of the symptoms swelling, tenderness, bleeding, and persistent bad breath you need to visit your dentist.

Risks of leaving gingivitis untreated

Gum disease often goes undetected and, when untreated, can cause irreversible damage to soft tissue and bone. This leads to gum recession, jawbone deterioration and eventually to tooth loss.

Furthermore, studies link untreated gingivitis to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and diabetes. Poor oral health causes systemic inflammation and can lead to various health issues.

Progression to periodontitis

Periodontitis is a complex and mystifying process where certain types of bacteria cause damage to the gum tissue and bone structure supporting our teeth. As discussed it is usually preceded by gingivitis - the mild form of gum disease, that can progress to a more severe and damaging form.

Periodontitis begins with the accumulation of dental plaque, a biofilm composed of bacteria and extracellular matrix, on the teeth and gums. The bacteria in the plaque trigger the host's immune response, leading to inflammation of the gingival tissue. The initial inflammatory response is characterized by increased blood flow and vascular permeability, which allows immune cells and proteins to infiltrate the affected tissue. In some individuals, the inflammatory response is not effectively resolved, resulting in persistent inflammation and destruction of the connective tissue and alveolar bone that support the teeth.

Early signs are often subtle, including bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, and slight discomfort while chewing. Without treatment, these symptoms worsen and more complications add up. Thus in the later stages of the disease, a person experiences bleeding and receding gums, deep pockets between the teeth and gums, loose teeth, changes in bite or tooth alignment, pus around the teeth and gums.

Source: 101stadultdentistry.com

In severe cases, a deep cleaning procedure called scaling and root planing may be necessary. A balance of oral bacteria is necessary to maintain healthy teeth and prevent gingivitis and periodontitis from gradually destroying your teeth.

The tricky thing here is that periodontitis often doesn't cause significant pain or other symptoms until things have already progressed quite far. In other words, you could slowly lose your teeth without even realizing it.

Treatment of periodontitis

For Nordics, the Number 1 treatment for all diseases is prophylaxis. It is equally effective both for kids and for adults.

Great prophylaxis includes great care from the side of the patient and finding the right dental care products. Besides the well-known brushing routine mentioned above, it’s recommended to add an antimicrobial mouthwash to reduce the number of bacteria in the mouth and specialized interdental brushes, made for cleaning the in-between spaces of loose teeth due to periodontal progression.

But if you’ve gone over that phase there are some key facts that you need to know about periodontitis treatment.

It typically involves a combination of non-surgical and surgical procedures aimed at controlling the infection and restoring the health of the gums and supporting structures of the teeth.

The first group includes scaling and root planning which is a deep cleaning procedure that removes plaque and tartar buildup from the teeth and roots. It also includes antibiotic treatment to help control the bacterial infection.

Surgical treatments may prove very effective, especially in the long-term treatment of the disease and lead to significant relief in patients’ symptoms and preservation of teeth. Surgical procedures include flap surgery that removes tartar deposits in deep pockets beneath the gums and re-contours the gum tissue to reduce the depth of the pockets. Bone and tissue grafts are done to regenerate lost bone and tissue that support the teeth for future implants in the place of the missing tooth. Guided tissue regeneration is a procedure that involves placing a barrier membrane around the tooth to encourage the growth of new bone and tissue.

It is important to note that periodontitis is a chronic condition, and ongoing maintenance and follow-up care with a dental professional is necessary to manage the disease and prevent its progression. So, next time you're tempted to skip flossing before bed, remember that it might not just be your teeth at stake.

Studies have shown that untreated gum inflammation can cause inflammation throughout the whole body, worsening conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. That's why it's crucial to promptly seek treatment for any gum inflammation.

Summary

Though this article and the pictures in it may indeed look shocking, there is no room for panic. Remember that both gingivitis and periodontitis are diseases that take many years to develop, thus there’s a lot we can do about it.

Regular brushing and flossing, coupled with frequent dental check-ups, are the cornerstone of pre-emptive dental care. Furthermore, we can 100% count on our dental expert for yearly detection through a comprehensive exam and removal of plaque and tartar.

Nonetheless, neglecting dental health is our personal responsibility and can lead to costly, serious conditions that require complicated procedures like root canals or dental implants.

In summary, if you notice bleeding gums, bad breath and irritated gums don’t ignore them. Rather, organize your dental care routine and rethink some harmful habits tobacco and alcohol, and excessive sugar intake.

It is incumbent upon us to take charge of our dental health, and not lose sight of the broader implications of poor dental hygiene. Nordics is there for you in the daily journey to better oral health.

by vgugghaa

The Future of Oral Care: Innovative Products for a Healthier Smile

Are you tired of the same old toothbrush and toothpaste routine? With advancements in technology and scientific research, the oral care products of the future promise to revolutionize the way we think about our oral care. From multifunctional toothbrushes that combine brushing, flossing, and tongue scraping in one convenient tool, to toothpaste infused with probiotics to improve overall oral health, the possibilities are endless.
But it's not just about the practicality - these products also offer a touch of luxury with sleek, modern designs and innovative features like built-in timers and pressure sensors. The market for advanced dental products is rapidly expanding, and for good reason.

by vgugghaa

The History of Dental Care Products

Dental Care Throughout History

There are so many available types of dental care products today. Herbal, fluoridated, sensitivity, tartar control and children’s toothpaste, manual, electric, eco-friendly toothbrushes and so many other types of tools are available to most developed and developing countries. However, this array of oral care products has only been around since the 1950s. So how did the dental hygiene practices look before then?

 Even though past generations did not have the products which exist now, oral hygiene has been a priority to wellbeing since ancient times. Historical documents from 5,000 BCE reveal that humans firmly believed that worms were the primary reason for cavities, and toothpicks were used to remove food residue in Egypt and Mesopotamia. In 1700 BCE, Ebers Papyrus, an Egyptian text, reveals information about tooth diseases and various remedies for toothache.

In Ancient Greece, Asclepius, the God of Medicine and healing, was believed to be one of the first advocates of dental health around 1200 BCE. This is why the official symbol of dentistry includes a snake, a symbol of rebirth for ancient Greeks, and two Greek letters, “Δέλτα” and “Όμικρον”, depicted as the triangle and the circle respectively. Later, Aristotle and Hippocrates wrote more detailed texts about tooth decay treatments, teeth extraction with forceps, and stabilization techniques for loose teeth and fractured jaw bones using wires, very similar to the modern approach. Around the 2nd century BC, an ancient civilization in Italy, called the Etruscans, practiced dental prosthetics and performed dental restorations using gold.

The First Toothpaste

 Considering the mysterious concoctions ancient civilizations came up with to clean their teeth, we have to thank the Egyptians for utilizing mint and adding it to their kind of toothpaste. The Greeks’ and Romans’ first form of dental cream was made of broken bones, myrrh, ash, eggshells, volcanic rocks, oxen hooves, and charcoal. Asian civilizations have added herbs and spices, such as ginseng and salt, to improve their taste and cleansing properties. The abrasive mixture was believed to successfully clean the surface of the teeth and remove food residue.

The ancient Egyptian formula of the dental cream comprised a mix of rock salt, mint, dried iris flowers, and pepper. Despite causing bleeding gums, researchers claim it was perhaps the most effective form of toothpaste compared to its successors, sharing a lot of similarities with its modern version.

In the late 18th century, people experimented with a powder mostly made of burnt bread to clean their teeth. A few decades later, a dentist called Peabody was the first to add soap to the toothpaste for better oral hygiene and in 1850, John Harris added chalk to the mixture. In 1873, the first commercially used toothpaste with a pleasant smell and texture was launched by Colgate and it was sold in jars. Two decades later, Dr. Washington Sheffield started selling toothpaste in collapsible tubes for sanitary purposes, so that people could use it safely, without risking their own hygiene.

In the 20th century, dental experts added fluoride to toothpaste, as they had discovered how effective it was against dental cavities. After World War II, toothpaste manufacturers replaced the soap with other emulsifying agents to produce a smoother result. In the following decades, herbal, fluoride-free, whitening, and even edible toothpastes hit the market.

The First Toothbrush

Thanks to technological advancements, the oral hygiene industry has expanded to innovative dental care products such as the electric toothbrush. The first-ever form of toothbrush was nothing but a wooden, pencil-sized stick. Historians claim that the Babylonians and Egyptians were the first ones to use frayed twigs to clean their teeth as early as 3500 BCE. They chewed on one side of the stick to soften it up and resemble a brush, and they kept the other end sharp, like a toothpick.

 In the 15th century, the Chinese created the first toothbrush with bristles by gluing pig’s hairs to a bamboo stick or carved bones. At the time, Europeans used cloths and sponges to remove and polish their teeth. When the toothbrush designed in China was taken to Europe, the harsh pig’s hair was replaced by horsehair or feathers for a softer “brush”.

 The “founder” of the toothbrush was William Addis from England, who invented the first mass-produced toothbrush in 1780. While in prison, he carved a cattle bone for a handle and he used batches of wild pig’s hair for the brush part. His prototype was then given to manufacturers and it was available across the country. During World War I, the USA manufactured toothbrushes made of nylon bristles and celluloid handles. This type of material made it easier to sell toothbrushes in more areas around the world and it was the beginning of the manual toothbrush, as we know it. The first electric toothbrush sold in the US was the Broxodent, manufactured by a company named Squibb in the 1960s. More companies optimized this type of product over the next few years.

The First Mouthwash

 The origin story of the mouthwash is almost as unorthodox as the one of the toothpaste. There are mentions of it in the literature of a few civilizations, but the most common appears to be the Roman. Historical documents reveal that Romans used imported bottled urine to rinse their mouths in AD 1. Despite it being a quite eccentric choice, ammonia, which is found in high levels in urine, has cleaning and disinfecting properties. It became so popular that the emperor Nero taxed the trade and it was widely used until the 19th century.

Other mouthwash peculiarities throughout history included tortoise blood, white wine, goat’s milk, a mixture of berries, vinegar, and mint leaves, and also cold water. Around the 1500s, people also gargled a solution of mint and vinegar to fight bad breath and clean their teeth. Anton van Leeuwenhoek, also known as the father of modern microbiology, discovered that a mouthwash solution with alcohol or ammonia could effectively kill oral bacteria. Thanks to his discovery, the mouthwash of today ensures not only gum and teeth health but also fresh breath!

The First Dental Floss

The dental floss gained popularity a lot later than the other oral care products. A New Orleans dentist named Dr. Levi Spear Parmly first suggested the use of a silk thread to clean the areas between the teeth in 1815. As the rest of the dental care products became more popular towards the end of the century, that’s when dental floss was patented and available in the market. The silk used in dental floss was the same material used for the stitches but later was replaced for nylon, because of its durability. This improvement also led to the production of waxed floss, which is a stronger, slightly thicker option, ideal for tightly spaced teeth because it's easier to glide between the teeth. Similar to the rest, the variety of dental floss has expanded over the years, taking advantage of new materials and new technological techniques.

Conclusion

History shows that human societies have cared about their oral health for centuries, long before all the different kinds of toothpastes, toothbrushes, and other oral care products. Prehistoric civilizations used no dental tools to clean their teeth, which were mostly healthy thanks to their diet. When the human populations turned to farming, their heavy grain-based diets led to plaque buildup and hence, oral bacteria growth.

It’s important to acknowledge the role of nutrition in our oral health and utilize all the dental care products and treatments which are available to us to lead a healthy life with a bright smile.

 SOURCES:

https://www.pacificsciencecenter.org/blog/wellbody-blog/the-evolution-of-oral-hygiene/

 https://www.hinsdaledentistry.com/blog/history-of-oral-hygiene/

https://www.ada.org/en/member-center/ada-library/dental-history

https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/brushing-and-flossing/history-of-toothbrushes-and-toothpastes

https://vitality-dental.co.uk/history-oral-hygiene/

 https://oralb.com/en-us/oral-health/dental-floss-history/

https://www.speareducation.com/spear-review/2012/11/a-brief-history-of-toothpaste

https://www.deltadentalar.com/resources/blog/delta-dental/2019/03/13/history-of-toothpaste

by Polimira Miteva