|
Apical periodontitis How Do I Save My Teeth? |
|
|
|
|
Apical periodontitis is a bad disease. At least once a year or more likely twice you visit the dentist to see how your teeth are faring. You think back on the brushing and more you have done, but also remember the times you missed. Normally all is well and you get a scolding from the hygienist about flossing more or brushing.
by Petra
Apical periodontitis is a bad disease. At least once a year or more likely twice you visit the dentist to see how your teeth are faring. You think back on the brushing and more you have done, but also remember the times you missed. Normally all is well and you get a scolding from the hygienist about flossing more or brushing.
Apical periodontitis as your dentist explains is an advanced form of gum disease where the bacteria basically go beyond just inflaming tissue to all out war. It attacks the gums first, gains strength and starts to work on ligaments and bones. The ultimate goal of the disease is to eliminate all structures in the mouth that attach your teeth to the jaw. Basically the result is loss of your teeth.
What treatments are available to the poor patient now? Modern dentists must have a grip on this disease of apical periodontitis. It appears there are several possible avenues and most of them work to eliminate the bacteria taking up residence between your teeth and gums. This can be done by washing them away but more often by trying to kill them with different agents.
There are several herbal remedies that are noted for their antibiotic properties and these are a possible alternative to traditional dentistry when treating apical periodontitis. They can be ingested but are usually applied as a paste to the areas affected to reduce or kill the disease causing bacteria. The effects are often gradual and require patience for full effect. Many people do not have the desire or time to wait, so they go to modern dental techniques.
Apical periodontitis can be treated in the early stages with simply trying to power wash out the offending bacteria with a special antiseptic solution or just pure water. The power of the stream will clean out most of the current bacteria and follow-up treatments with anti-bacterial rinses can make the progress permanent.
Once the tooth and gum are detached or weakened by apical periodontitis, the disease starts to work on the main larger ligament holding the tooth to the jawbone. The jawbone itself is not immune to this disease and will be attacked soon. The final blows from the disease often result in the tooth just falling out.
A fairly mainstream method to deal with apical periodontitis is called scaling. It also has a companion cleaning technique named root planing. These are fairly invasive techniques where the dentist actually inserts probes and instruments between your tooth and gum to effectively remove any bacteria or gunk stored there. It is more effective at cleaning than just the water stream, but not as easy on the patient.
These somewhat gruesome results of apical periodontitis mainly caused by inattentive dental care should be a warning to all of us. Modern dentistry can help you fix many problems and prevent most bad results, but only if you follow the instructions. The specter of loosing one or more of your teeth at anytime in your life should be sufficiently alarming to make everyone brush and floss regularly.
|
