by Les Scammell

Created on: October 19, 2009

Pyorrhea or periodontitis refers to an advanced stage of gingivitis which in itself is simply an infection of the gums. Pyorrhea occurs when the infection spreads from the gums deeper into the tissue of the jaw. This results in an infection of the bone and ligaments that hold the teeth in place.

Signs of pyorrhea include a change in color of the gum itself from the natural pink to a red or reddish purple. The gum area around teeth will start to shrink exposing more and more of a tooth's root area. Pyorrhea is generally not painful until it is well advanced, At this stage decay in teeth will often cause more pain than the pyorrhea itself. In advanced stages, the gum area may be sensitive to touch which can make eating uncomfortable.

Other signs include gums that bleed easily; a discharge of pus; and, in advanced stages, teeth falling out. Bad breath (halitosis) will also be noticeable. Advanced stages of pyorrhea may also lead to other health problems such as severe indigestion, upset stomachs and in rare cases, diseases of the heart, lungs, liver and kidneys.

Treatment for pyorrhea is often a two or three pronged attack depending on the severity. The three prongs are:

1 - in severe cases, surgery to remove bad teeth or to open and clean severe pockets of infection may be required. Bone implants may also be required in cases where there is severe bone loss.

2 - general treatment. General treatment will include a course of antibiotics and a thorough cleaning and descaling of the teeth. Descaling may also involve a specialist technique where scale is removed from the root of the tooth below the gum line. A home regime of regular mouth wash and teeth brushing will also be required.

3 - maintenance. Once the infections have been brought under control the patient will need to maintain a regular routing of dental hygiene. Monthly dental checkups will also be needed to ensure that the disease is under control and causing further damage.

Natural health remedies include the use of guava. The chewing of raw guava is reported to have beneficial effects on both the gums and the teeth. Since, the fruit is abundant in Vitamin C it may also help to impede constant bleeding.

The best treatment for pyorrhea is prevention. This involves a simple regime of brushing and flossing each day along with regular dental checkups.

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