Dental loosening, also known as periodontitis or gingival recession, is an inflammation of your gums caused by tartar buildup on the surface of your teeth and in your gingival grooves. This is also the last phase of a condition that usually results from gingivitis (if it is not supported in time). This is when the root of your tooth will be bare, so-called tooth decoupling. Now, the main mission of your root is to protect your tooth from bacteria, which once a space is created between it and your gum, will be able to grow.
Possible causes
Several causes may cause tooth decay. Most relate to your oral hygiene, but loosening can also be the result of another tooth problem, which was not treated early enough.
Possible causes include:
- tobacco use (an important risk factor for tooth decay)
- the genetic factor (heredity);
- poor oral hygiene (including plaque buildup due to poor brushing of your teeth)
- caries that has developed
- bruxism (gnashing of teeth);
- the position of your teeth, such as an occlusion problem (misalignment of your teeth);
- periodontal disease
- excessive consumption and regular chewing gum chewing;
- a toothbrush with too hard hair;
- biting his nails;
- age (our gums are naturally less irrigated when we age, and they can, therefore, retract, revealing the root);
- the consequences of orthodontic treatment;
- vitamin C deficiencies;
- the stress ;
- diabetes.
Symptoms to watch for
If you recognize yourself in one or more of these risk factors, you must be particularly alert to the various symptoms that may alert you to probable tooth decay. Most are more or less similar to those of gingivitis. Here are the main warning signs:
- your gum retracts, and your teeth are much more mobile, even falling;
- your teeth are abnormally sensitive to extreme temperatures (hot and cold);
- one of your teeth seems longer to you;
- you can see the root of your tooth (if the gum has retracted);
- your gums systematically bleed as soon as you brush your teeth.
If you notice any of these symptoms, you must consult your dentist as soon as possible, who will be the only one able to confirm your diagnosis.
Possible treatments
The first thing your dentist will do if the diagnosis of dental loosening (using a panoramic X-ray of your teeth) is confirmed
is to make yourself a descaling. This will prevent bacteria that have accumulated between your root (exposed) and your gum from reaching the bone. There are several treatments that will overcome dental loosening and can go as far as surgical intervention, depending on its severity and its stage of advancement. In any case, it is important for you to be followed by your dentist to monitor the progress.
The descaling
To treat your dental loosening, your dentist will start by carrying out a descaling in order, in order to eliminate the risks of infection. For this, your dentist will remove the layer of tartar that has formed on your teeth (a real nest of bacteria), both on and below the level of the gum. For this, he can use ultrasound, or simply use a periodontal curette which will be used to manually scratch the tartar on your teeth.
After descaling, your dentist will then perform a surfacing , which will completely eliminate the tartar plaque that has accumulated on your teeth and the bacteria that are around your tooth root. Result: the area will be completely smooth, which will prevent them in the future from adhering to your teeth, and therefore from accumulating until forming tartar. This step, which will completely clean your periodontal pockets, is also a good way to recover the bone of your tooth, but also prevent future periodontal diseases and thus stabilize the health of your teeth.
