GUM DISEASE TREATMENTS

There are three levels or stages of gum disease. The first is gingivitis which is an inflammation of the gums and can be quickly reversed and corrected. The second level is periodontitis which is going to call for more intense treatment and the final stage is advanced periodontitis which most likely might require surgery. In identifying the primary cause of gum disease you can also see the method of treatments. Gum disease is quite simply from there being too much plaque on your teeth. Plaque is a sticky substance that carries bacteria. If you do not brush and remove that plaque it will continue to build up. Once it is around the gum line and below the bacteria will infect the gums. So, in essence, it’s really about the plaque.

Treatment for the first stage, or gingivitis

Gingivitis is gum disease in an early stage. Your gums may be swollen, red, possibly bleeding slightly, and they may be tender and sensitive to the touch. If you schedule a dental visit and an exam confirms this, the dentist or hygienist will give your teeth a very thorough and professional teeth cleaning. By scraping, scaling and root planing the teeth and removing the plaque, even down under the gum line, they have removed the source of infection. You will head home, brush your teeth twice a day as instructed, floss once, and even introduce an antiseptic mouthwash and in roughly two weeks you will see a remarkable improvement.

Second stage, periodontitis

This is when the gum disease begins to do some damage. Your gums have started to recede or pull away from the teeth. These pockets can harbor food and accelerate the infection in the gums. At this point your dentist may involve a periodontist who specializes in these procedures. The scaling and root planning is now going deeper to remove that plaque and tartar beneath the gum line. You may now need a local anesthetic. A small scaler or ultrasonic cleaner removes the plaque to the bottom of the pocket. The surface of the root is smoothed and planed. This helps the gums to heal and makes it difficult for plaque to accumulate again. Medication may be prescribed to help control any infection and discomfort.

Third stage, advanced periodontitis

Everything that was mentioned above will need to be done to treat this level of gum disease with some additions. Surgery may now be necessary to access hard to reach areas under the gum. That plaque needs to be removed. Splints and bite guards may be used at this level to stabilize loose teeth and assist in the healing process. You may even need to have a soft tissue graft if you have lost excessive gum tissue due to the advancement of the gum disease.

It’s all about you

If you perform simple at home daily oral hygiene practices of brushing twice and flossing once you can avoid gum disease. A visit twice a year will get you professional teeth cleaning, remove that nasty plaque, and you may never have to be subjected to gum disease.

Mobile's West Mobile Dental Care is an advanced general and cosmetic dentist that can help you with most stages of your gum disease complications. Contact our office today to find out more.

If you're just interested in learning more about gum disease and information regarding, here's some supplementary reading on what periodontal disease is actually.