How decayed can the worst teeth dentists encounter really be?

Below, we will introduce you to the most decayed teeth that dentists encounter and just how decayed they can be. This will take you approximately two to three minutes to browse through. Thank you for reading.

For dentists, when it comes to treating decayed teeth, there is no "worst" tooth, only "worse" ones. So the question arises, how bad can the worst tooth a dentist encounters actually be?

Periodontal disease can be fatal too? You may not believe it, but according to Beijing TV's report, Mr. Zhang in his 30s had been in good health. However, just recently, while he was about to leave in his car, he suddenly felt severe chest pain. He collapsed on the ground and was taken to the hospital by his colleagues, where he was diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction. What puzzled everyone was that there were no apparent heart abnormalities found in Mr. Zhang. Initially, he only experienced bleeding gums while brushing his teeth, followed by gum redness and swelling, and some teeth becoming loose. Occasionally, he also experienced numbness in his teeth. Could it be that Mr. Zhang's sudden heart attack was somehow related to his teeth? Can common dental issues in our daily lives really be life-threatening? The final investigation revealed that Mr. Zhang had severe periodontitis, and it was this severe periodontitis that triggered his myocardial infarction.

Periodontal disease is one of the most common oral diseases. The early symptoms of periodontal disease are often not taken seriously. When there is slight discomfort, people generally rely on medication or use medicated toothpaste. While this may alleviate the discomfort to some extent, it is only a temporary solution and can still lead to long-term chronic infection of the periodontal tissues, with recurrent inflammatory episodes. By the time patients seek medical attention, the condition can become quite severe. It not only impairs the functionality of the oral chewing system but also significantly affects overall health. Certain individuals, especially pregnant women and those with cardiovascular or cerebrovascular problems, should pay even more attention and must not neglect periodontal issues.

Let's also talk about periodontal disease today. People often say that periodontal disease is an ailment of the elderly, so they don't pay much attention to it and are unaware of how to determine if they have periodontal disease. Here, the editor has summarized some of the common doubts.

During regular tooth brushing, if the gums bleed easily even without applying much force, or if there is bleeding when biting into an apple, does this indicate the presence of periodontal disease?

Gum bleeding is one of the common symptoms of periodontal disease. There are many reasons behind frequent gum bleeding, including both systemic and local factors.

1. Systemic factors

Conditions such as scurvy (vitamin C deficiency), leukemia, hemophilia, and chronic liver diseases can lead to gum bleeding. However, these diseases are not the primary causes of gum bleeding. Apart from gum bleeding, these conditions may also present symptoms such as nosebleeds, rectal bleeding, hematuria, skin bruises, and even fever, general discomfort, jaundice, and anemia. In the presence of these symptoms, it is crucial to promptly seek medical examination and treatment.

2. Local factors are the most common causes of gum bleeding.

Generally, gum bleeding is frequently observed in patients with gingivitis and periodontitis. Inadequate oral hygiene can lead to the formation of tartar along the gumline, irritating the gums. Ill-fitting dentures can also cause gum irritation, resulting in gum congestion and swelling. In such cases, bleeding can easily occur during tooth brushing or chewing. If left untreated, these conditions can lead to the formation of "periodontal pockets," where the gums separate from the teeth, and hard tartar accumulates in between. Frequent inflammation and bleeding not only affect one or two teeth but can also impact the entire dentition.

When our hands suddenly bleed while washing them, it undoubtedly causes great concern. However, when our gums bleed while brushing teeth, it often goes unnoticed. This perception needs to change!

How can we determine if we have periodontal disease? What are the symptoms of periodontal disease?

To determine if one has periodontal disease, it is important for everyone to pay attention and examine their oral condition in daily life:

① Take a mirror and observe if the gums near the gumline appear redder. If they are redder, it may indicate the presence of gingivitis.

② Notice if there is gum bleeding while brushing teeth or biting hard objects, and if there is a tendency for bad breath. These can also be indicators of gingivitis.

③ Are the gums frequently swollen, prone to recurring abscesses, especially during periods of staying up late and weakened immunity?

④ Are the gaps between teeth getting larger? If they are, it should be a cause for concern as increasing tooth gaps may be due to gum recession.

⑤ Are the teeth becoming loose or shifting? Do you experience food getting stuck between them while eating?

In the era of focusing on appearances, taking care of oral health requires more attention than just applying a face mask. 

Which population groups are more prone to developing periodontal disease?

Currently, many people have periodontal disease, and many are unaware of it. However, the following groups are more likely to develop periodontal disease:

① Smokers

There are many causes of periodontal disease, and smoking is a significant contributing factor. Smoking causes vasoconstriction, impairs local blood circulation, and reduces the local resistance of periodontal tissues. The smoke can induce gum keratinization and accelerate the formation of dental calculus. This is why we often observe that the teeth of long-term smokers tend to be yellow, as there is an increase in dental plaque and calculus, which can easily trigger or worsen symptoms of periodontal disease.

② Pregnant women

During pregnancy, some women develop cravings for sour or sweet foods, or foods with high viscosity, which can alter the oral environment. In the middle trimester, many pregnant women experience noticeable pregnancy reactions, making them easily nauseous when brushing their teeth. Consequently, they may avoid brushing altogether. Food residues accumulate extensively around the teeth, leading to poor oral hygiene and the development of periodontal disease. Furthermore, the gums are also affected by female hormones, and during pregnancy, there is a significant increase in hormonal levels, which enhances the gum's response to local stimulation and exacerbates inflammatory reactions.

③ Office workers

Office workers are also among the population groups susceptible to periodontal disease. They often lack physical exercise, are more prone to smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, and pay less attention to their oral hygiene when experiencing poor mood. Emotional well-being is also a contributing factor to periodontal disease.

According to authoritative data, 90% of middle-aged individuals suffer from varying degrees of periodontal disease. The question is: who belongs to the remaining 10%?

With the relaxation of the two-child policy in the country, many people are planning to have a second child. Since pregnant women are prone to periodontal disease, what should these mothers pay attention to?

Mothers planning to have a second child should undergo pre-pregnancy examinations and should not neglect pre-pregnancy oral check-ups. During pregnancy, due to increased estrogen secretion, gum tissues are prone to expansion, leading to local congestion of blood flow within the tissues. Additionally, the gum's response to local stimuli is enhanced. Pregnancy can also result in relative deficiencies of vitamins and trace elements in the body, which can exacerbate gum inflammation caused by bacteria. Therefore, it is essential to maintain good oral hygiene before and during pregnancy. Mothers should also address wisdom tooth issues before pregnancy. If oral problems, such as pericoronitis of wisdom teeth, are neglected prior to pregnancy, they may flare up during this period. Combined with the physiological and psychological changes specific to pregnancy, treatment can become quite challenging. There is an old saying that "having a child means losing a tooth," which is not scientifically accurate. However, it emphasizes the importance of pre-pregnancy dental examinations. Taking care of oral health before pregnancy can prevent many troubles during pregnancy. Once pregnant, many medications cannot be used, and pain can have adverse effects on the fetus, making treatment more complicated. Severe periodontitis can also lead to premature birth and low birth weight infants.

How is periodontitis treated? What is the approximate treatment period?

The treatment of periodontitis emphasizes early diagnosis and early intervention. The treatment of periodontitis also emphasizes sequential therapy, with a focus on periodontal basic treatment supplemented by medication and surgical treatment. Most patients, after receiving appropriate treatment, can achieve good control of the condition.

Basic treatment:

1. Oral hygiene education to help patients understand the etiology of periodontitis, the significance of oral hygiene, and the implementation techniques for plaque control, aiming to change poor oral hygiene habits.

2. Thorough supra-gingival and subgingival scaling and root planing to remove pathogenic factors such as plaque and calculus.

3. Occlusal adjustment and stabilization of loose teeth to reduce the occlusal burden on affected teeth.

4. Systemic and local application of antimicrobial agents to control inflammation, with the timing of medication being crucial.

5. Extraction of teeth with poor prognosis and those not favorable for future prosthodontic restoration.

6. Treatment of periodontal and pulpal lesions of affected teeth, management of dental caries, removal of defective restorations, and elimination of food impaction as causative factors.

Periodontal surgical treatment:

When periodontal pockets are deep, after completing the basic treatment for 6-8 weeks, if there are still pockets measuring 5mm or more with probing depth bleeding or if there are malformations of the alveolar bone, a series of periodontal surgical procedures are required to further remove the infectious substances within the periodontal pockets and restore the normal form of the alveolar bone and gums.

Different surgical procedures may be performed depending on the severity of the condition, such as periodontal flap surgery, guided bone regeneration surgery, and mucogingival surgery.

Maintenance and regular follow-up:

Follow-up examinations should be conducted every three to six months to assess the patient's plaque control and periodontal condition, and address any issues promptly.

The effectiveness of periodontal treatment depends on both a well-designed treatment plan and the skillful and meticulous treatment provided by the dentist. Additionally, it requires the patient's diligent cooperation and consistent self-control. Both factors are essential, as without either, no treatment can maintain long-lasting results.

Treating periodontal disease is a long-term battle! Each step requires our careful attention. Don't wait until teeth are lost before considering their protection. It's like love; once lost, it can never be regained!

Treating periodontal disease involves scaling and root planing, but many people question the safety of this procedure.

Treating periodontal disease is not synonymous with scaling and root planing alone, which is a common misconception among patients and an important point to note for the future. Scaling and root planing is just one aspect of periodontal disease treatment. As for the safety of this procedure, it has been a long-discussed topic. Today, let's discuss it seriously.

In dental medicine, scaling and root planing is referred to as supra-gingival debridement (professional teeth cleaning). Professional teeth cleaning is currently one of the most effective methods for preventing and treating periodontal disease, with the fundamental goal of plaque control.

Is tooth enamel worn away during teeth cleaning? Ultrasonic scaling, also known as professional teeth cleaning, involves the use of ultrasonic vibrations and water mist to remove dental calculus. The cleaning tip used is rounded and not sharp, and the dental calculus that is removed can be in the form of larger pieces or smaller debris. During teeth cleaning, the dental calculus is dislodged by the vibrations of the ultrasonic scaler and does not grind away the patient's teeth. However, improper cleaning techniques, such as continuous vibration of the cleaning tip in one spot on the tooth surface, can cause some damage to the tooth enamel and contribute to post-cleaning tooth sensitivity. Therefore, there are certain requirements for dentists performing supra-gingival debridement, including gentle movements, precise procedures, minimizing damage to dental tissues, and reducing patient discomfort.　

Does teeth cleaning widen the gaps between teeth? Patients who perceive an increase in the gaps between their teeth typically have a higher amount of dental calculus. The calculus blocks the normal space between teeth and leads to gum recession. After teeth cleaning, the removal of dental calculus restores the natural gaps between teeth. Therefore, patients may suddenly feel that the gaps have widened, but it is not the teeth cleaning itself that causes the gaps to enlarge. On the contrary, thorough removal of calculus promotes the health of periodontal tissues and facilitates the regrowth of receded gums, restoring them to their normal shape.

Does teeth cleaning make teeth more sensitive? After teeth cleaning, the removal of dental calculus allows the tooth surfaces, which were previously covered by calculus, to be exposed. This can cause a certain degree of sensitivity. For individuals with healthy periodontal conditions, the sensitivity usually subsides within a few days. However, for patients with gum recession and exposed root surfaces, they may experience varying levels of sensitivity. This sensitivity can be alleviated by using desensitizing toothpaste or applying local desensitizing agents.

Some people claim that their teeth become looser after teeth cleaning, but it is not caused by the cleaning itself. In fact, it is because the teeth were already loose but were held in place by dental calculus, acting as a splint, against the surrounding stable teeth. As a result, they didn't perceive the looseness. However, when the dental calculus is removed, it is like removing the splint, and the individual tooth mobility becomes noticeable, giving the sensation of loose teeth.

Some patients also claim that their teeth, which were originally not dark, become darker after teeth cleaning, so they believe that they should avoid cleaning. Let me clarify this. Incorrect teeth cleaning methods can indeed cause teeth to appear darker after cleaning. Why is that? After cleaning, the tooth surface becomes rough, making it more susceptible to pigment adhesion, especially from smoking, drinking tea, or consuming Chinese herbal medicine. This can result in faster staining of the teeth in the short term, making them appear darker than before cleaning. Therefore, it is essential to polish the teeth after cleaning to make the tooth surface smooth, glossy, and less prone to pigment adhesion. Rubber polishing wheels are commonly used, but the best option is sandblasting polishing, which not only removes fine pigments but also polishes the tooth surface with minimal damage to the tooth structure. Even so, it is crucial to pay close attention to oral hygiene, especially avoiding smoking and drinking tea, during the two weeks after teeth cleaning to maintain the treatment's effectiveness.

As a consumer, what should you pay attention to when faced with a plethora of discounted dental cleaning coupons on the market, with fees lower than the average market price?

It is advisable to choose reputable hospitals and legitimate dental clinics for dental cleaning. Currently, there are many discounted dental cleaning offers available at prices significantly lower than the market average. When making a choice, it is essential to consider why the cost is low. Is it due to additional charges for other treatments (such as tempting dental fillings or crowns), or is it due to reduced costs in disinfection or equipment? It should be noted that high-temperature and high-pressure sterilization, although effective, can significantly reduce the lifespan of dental instruments. In reputable medical institutions, dental cleaning equipment undergoes disinfection and sterilization and is dedicated to individual patients. Dental cleaning with non-sterilized instruments can easily spread diseases, including hepatitis and HIV/AIDS. Finally, pay attention to the clinic's practicing qualification certificates and the physician's practicing license. Patients have the right to request to see these documents. By following these precautions, you can undergo dental cleaning with peace of mind.

The cost of dental cleaning includes 30 minutes of service provided by a dentist and a dental nurse, as well as the use of disposable instruments and high-standard disinfection equipment. Dental cleaning is not as simple as it seems!

Is there a relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes?

Is there a relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes?

Diabetes patients are prone to severe periodontal tissue damage, and conversely, periodontal disease can make it difficult to control blood sugar and worsen the condition in diabetic patients. Therefore, when diabetes is accompanied by periodontitis, it is necessary to actively treat both conditions simultaneously. After treatment, periodontal inflammation is reduced, and blood sugar control is also improved.

Periodontal disease and diabetes are interconnected!

How should patients with severe periodontal disease choose their toothbrush?

1. Bristles

Elderly individuals or patients with periodontal disease should choose a toothbrush with softer bristles. Although a toothbrush with harder bristles provides better cleaning effectiveness, it also causes more tooth wear and damage. A toothbrush with softer bristles can reach below the gumline and interproximal spaces to remove plaque.

2. Brush Head

The brush head should generally be slightly smaller to ensure its flexibility and maneuverability within the oral cavity.

3. Bristle Texture

Choose a toothbrush with bristles that have undergone grinding treatment. This ensures that the bristle tips are smooth and will not cause gum irritation. If possible, consider purchasing an electric toothbrush or an oral irrigator. In particular, oral irrigators are highly effective in cleaning interdental spaces, making them an excellent choice for older individuals. Additionally, investing in a higher-end toothbrush may encourage older individuals and those who do not pay much attention to oral hygiene to take brushing more seriously.

When it comes to our parents' oral health, we should not be frugal. Perhaps their periodontal health has aged along with their graying hair. To ensure their well-being, we must not skimp!

Now, how can we protect our own oral health and prevent periodontal disease?

Daily brushing is of utmost importance, especially when practicing the correct brushing technique. For individuals with periodontitis, don't forget to clean between your teeth using dental floss or an oral irrigator after brushing. It is recommended to have a dental check-up at least twice a year. Additionally, getting a professional dental cleaning every six months is essential.

Making mistakes is not scary! What's truly frightening is when you go through life without realizing you've made mistakes!