Over the years, the treatment for gum disease has improved significantly with the modern treatments available today. However, gum disease is still one of the leading causes of tooth loss in America due to late diagnosis and treatment.
Have you noticed blood in the sink after brushing your teeth? It could be an early warning sign of gum disease. The earliest stage of gum disease is gingivitis, which affects just the gums. When it progresses, it goes down to the root of your teeth and becomes periodontitis.
Gingivitis
About 90% of all adults have a form of gingivitis. It is caused by the accumulation of bacterial plaque on the surface of the teeth. Gingivitis causes your gums to become red and puffy or inflamed. You may experience bleeding when you brush, but your teeth are not loose. The damage done by gingivitis is reversible, and you can restore your oral health.
Periodontitis
Untreated gingivitis becomes periodontitis and the significant effects of the disease manifest. One of the first things that will happen is your gums and bones will pull away and form pockets at the base of the teeth. This will expose your teeth, and debris will collect in the spaces between the gums and teeth causing infection to develop.
Treatment of Gum Disease
Good Oral Hygiene
If you have gingivitis, the first thing you must do is stop the disease from progressing to periodontitis. A good oral hygiene routine includes:
Brushing your teeth two times a day
Use interdental brushes, soft picks, and floss
Regular dental visits
Quitting smoking
Avoiding foods with added sugars
Asking for advice if you have other oral problems, such as dry mouth
Deep Cleaning
Deep cleaning is the first treatment for developing gum disease. Regular cleaning involves the dentist cleaning the upper part of the teeth. In a deep cleaning, the dentist will use special instruments to clean below the gumline. The dentists will also perform a procedure called scaling. It involves scraping off plaque and tartar from the teeth and below the gumline.
Medication
No medication works alone to clear and treat gum disease. Medication is often coupled with other treatments to get your oral health back in line. You will receive a prescription for some medical products to use.
You may have to get gels, rinses, or something containing the antimicrobial compound chlorhexidine. The dentist may insert compounds made of hydrochloride microspheres into the gum pockets. Other times you may get oral antibiotics to combat the bacterial buildup.
Surgery
The dentist may recommend periodontal surgery if the above treatments fail to work. Surgery will remove plaque buildup in the pockets and bacteria in the roots. They may also use treatments to restore bone and gum tissue that may have been lost to the disease.
For more on gum disease, visit Marine Park Periodontics & Implantology at our office in Brooklyn, New York. Call (646) 863-4810 to schedule an appointment today.
