Prevention of Periodontitis

The prevention of periodontitis is straightforward for patients. The first step in prevention is to assure that the patient is brushing twice a day utilising the proper brushing technique. Patients who fear the contraction of periodontitis are not encouraged to brush too much however, as excessive brushing with poor technique can lead to other oral problems such as the reduction of the gums (gingival recession). Brushing at least twice a day help inhibit the growth of unwanted bacteria and prevents plaque, and thus tartar from forming. Patients who wish to prevent periodontitis should also floss daily. Flossing daily includes the spaces between each tooth, as well as behind the last two molars on the mandibular and maxillary arches. Flossing should get in below the gum line to prevent bacteria from congregating just below the surface. The last at home, over-the-counter treatment available for the prevention of periodontitis is the use of an antiseptic mouthwash. While proper use of mouthwash in conjunction with the other techniques can help cure gingivitis, once periodontal disease has elapsed stage 1 of periodontal disease, no amount of mouthwash or brushing can restore attachment lost in the periodontium.

Dental professionals can also offer stronger more effective treatments for the prevention and treatment of periodontitis. While both oral and topical medications are available for periodontitis patients, topical is preferred for the reduced effect placed on the rest of the body. Examples of these topical, prescription drugs include Atridox, Elyzol, PerioChip, Arestin, and Actisite19. Atridox is a gel placed in trays, then placed in the patients mouth. Over the course of a few days, the gel solidifies and conforms to the gums, ...

... middle of paper ...

.... 1 Mar. 2014.

Kaldahl WB, Kalkwarf KL, Patil KD, Molvar MP, Dyer JK (February 1996). "Long-term evaluation of periodontal therapy: II. Incidence of sites breaking down". J. Periodontol. 67 (2): 103–8. doi:10.1902/jop.1996.67.2.103. PMID 8667129

Hirschfeld L, Wasserman B (May 1978). "A long-term survey of tooth loss in 600 treated periodontal patients". J. Periodontol. 49 (5): 225–37.doi:10.1902/jop.1978.49.5.225. PMID 277674

Muller-Esnault, Susan, DVM. "Periodontal Disease in the Dog and Cat" (2009). http://www.critterology.com/articles/periodontal-disease-dog-and-cat

Albuquerque, C., F. Morinha, J. Requicha, T. Martins, I. Dias, H. Guedes-Pinto, E. Bastos, and C. Viegas. "Canine Periodontitis: The Dog as an Important Model for Periodontal Studies." The Veterinary Journal 191.3 (2012): 299-305. University of Michigan Dearborn Library Catalog. Web. 18 Mar. 2014.