Gum Treatments for Oral Health

Periodontal problems are usually less observed by patients due to the slow pace. If not treated on time, gum disease may get worse as it evolves into a more painful and recessed gum line, unavoidable bad oral smell, and even tooth loss. On the contrary to its unpleasant results, periodontal problems are easy to treat, quick to heal, and costs are much affordable. In this section, you can find a short overlook of gum treatments under a quadruple design of topics: Symptoms, mild and severe cases, treatments, and maintenance.

Symptoms of Gum Disease

The symptoms of gum disease are easy to catch. Here is a checklist for you:

Did you notice a color change through your gum line?

Is there swelling with a reddish look on the gum when you smile?

Do you observe an increase in plaque formation on your gum line and interdental spaces?

Do you feel that some of your teeth are shifting or moving?

Have you noticed that your teeth seem to be taller than they used to be?

If you answer ¨Yes¨ to one or several questions above, you should call a professional dental clinic to arrange your appointment with a periodontist.

Mild and Severe Cases for Periodontology

The underlying reason for periodontal disease is not clear - genetics, poor oral care, alcohol-tobacco use, and stress effects are regarded as influential on its occurrence. Periodontal cases differ in severity as the symptoms give the first impression. The mild version is encountered twice more than the severe one, and it is easily diagnosed to be cured during a dental examination.

The mild version, called gingivitis, emerges from plaque formation around the gum line and causes bacteria to gather in that area. Gingivitis is usually accompanied by inflammation. Staying untreated, it transforms into periodontitis, which helps bacteria stick to the tissue pockets between the jawbone and soft tissue surrounding the tooth root. The destructive effect of this severe version is seen as contraction and recession of gum line, tooth loss, and in advanced cases, loss of bone density. Immediate gum treatment can prevent these avoidable situations and increases the patient’s life quality.

Gum Treatments in Practice

Gum treatments vary according to the diagnostic data received by the dentist. For gingivitis, non-surgical gum treatments are usually preferred and become very successful. Scaling, root planing, and antibiotic use are different non-surgical procedures to heal gingivitis and mild periodontitis. Scaling removes plaque and bacteria on the tooth surface and baeneath gum while root planing smooths the area and sweeps all bacteria residues. Topical or oral antibiotics can be utilized by your dentist to heal the inflammation. These procedures are performed at once during your first dental session and take half an hour.

For advanced periodontitis, different surgical treatments may be required. Flap surgery reduces the gum tissue pocket where bacteria love staying and multiplying. This treatment ensures better and deeper root scaling and cleaning. It is also completed during one session. Soft tissue and bone grafting are recommended to patients who have been suffering from tissue loss, gum recession, or bone loss under the root. Being performed after local anesthesia, both surgical gum treatments lower the damage and help reinforce the soft tissue and also jawbone to support the healthy tooth. These techniques may require more than one visit to the dental clinic. Compared to implants and complicated surgical interventions, they are quicker for the patient to return back to work or school.

Maintenance of Gum Health

There is a large set of daily practices that can maintain the good effect of your gum treatment. Plaque formation is a very important factor for gum diseases, and your medical history will also lead your maintenance process. You can check these guidelines to arrange your next periodontal cleaning session:

Brush your teeth gently twice a day, floss daily.

Use mouthwash products or interdental brushes to keep tartar away.

Reduce or stop smoking and alcohol intake.

Check up regularly for diabetes.

Have periodontal cleaning and root planning twice a year.

On the condition that special medications, cancer drugs, and steroids are prescribed, contact your periodontist for other options of oral maintenance.