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submitted: Sep 3rd 2008 | by: Petra | Total views: 1 | Word Count: 519 | |

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.

The basic problems of gum disease are well known to most people but the nature or even the word apical periodontitis may be unfamiliar. So what is this disease? It is an extension of the commonly named gingivitis you will hear about at the dentist or on advertisements. Gingivitis is a basic inflammation of the gum tissues leading to bleeding while flossing and other minor problems. It doesn't usually do any permanent harm and is treatable in a short time.

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.

The disease of apical periodontitis attacks the bones that support the teeth in addition to the gums surrounding and protecting the teeth. The tooth and the jawbone are basically disconnected in a permanent fashion by tissue and bone decay. Consequently, you may lose several or all of your teeth permanently and fairly quickly.

Apical periodontitis is basically bacteria based disease you discover and can be treated by killing the bacteria and helping the tissues to heal. How do you kill bacteria that have formed a pocket home between your tooth and gum? There are several theories on that you note from basic antiseptics to advanced bacteria fighting tools.

The first tool you try is the natural way to fight apical periodontitis and the infection. Natural herbal solutions are pasted around your gum line and especially near or in the pockets of disease. The herbal paste has noted bacteria fighting properties and after a week or so, there is some improvement. But it is going slow, so you try the next idea.

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.

Another medical aid to these super cleaning methods is using enzymes in the fight against the apical periodontitis bacteria. It may be a little counterintuitive, but it is desirable to suppress some of the body defenses to prevent tissue damage and allow the other efforts to eliminate the bacteria. This is still a fairly new treatment supplement with research being conducted now.

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