Prevention of Periodontitis

The basic policy of the prevention is inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria in our mouth. So, we must always endeavor to remove dental plaque. Because various bacteria live in our mouth, it is very difficult to remove them perfectly. However, our body has immunity to protect themselves from these bacteria and if the forces of bacteria are less than our immunocompetence, periodontitis can be prevented. Conversely, if the power of increasing bacteria surpass immunity, the health of periodontium would be threaten. Therefore, keeping the mouth clean and reducing bacterial growth is the most effective means for the prevention of periodontal disease.

Removing as much plaque as possible to limit the growth of plaque is called plaque control. As concrete methods of plaque control, there are the professional care at dental clinic and the everyday self care at home.

In the professional care, first of all, you can undergo the bacteria inspection. It examines the amount of the typical bacteria causing periodontitis in your mouth. Secondly, professional mechanical tooth cleaning (PMTC) is available. That is a tooth cleaning by specialized machine. Third of all, you are able to receive the treatment called tooth scaling, that removes tartar by professional equipment. If your plaque is left piling up in long term, because the plaque will calcify and harden and won't be removed by brushing, you will need the tooth scaling. In the case of the periodontitis or the person of large plaque and tartar, the professional care may be required about once a week. On the other hand, in the good health condition, the maintenance of once every 3 to 6 months will be an effective means to prevent periodontitis.

However, the most important is the self care everyday at home. The most basic means of plaque control is the tooth cleaning, that should be done in correct manners. Although the oral cavity is always while awake washed by saliva, only a little amount of saliva is secreted while sleeping. Therefore, the tooth cleaning before bedtime and removing plaque as much as possible is effective for the prevention of periodontitis.