When it comes to gum diseases, gingivitis and periodontitis are the most common ones. However, gingivitis is the mild ailment that results in an infection of tissues around your teeth, which cause inflammation in your gums. Not to mention, this infection is a result of plaque buildup on your bite.
On the other hand, periodontitis is the next stage of gingivitis; it is a severe infection of the gums resulting from bacterial attack. If your gum condition worsens, periodontitis can damage your jawbone and teeth. Nevertheless, if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, it could be a sign that you have developed gum disease.
- Foul taste in the mouth
- Inflammation in your gums
- Tooth loss
- Discomfort while chewing
- Plaque or tartar buildup on your teeth
- Bad breath
- Swollen or tender gums
- Gums bleeding during brush or floss
How is Gum Disease Treated?
The treatment for periodontitis usually involves removing the bacterial deposits and plaque from your gums and teeth. However, it is important for you to practice dental care that your dentist would likely to instruct you about. Following the instructions will help reduce the severity while keeping your gums and mouth clean.
Your dental professional will advise you about how to floss your teeth and use a toothbrush properly. Furthermore, they can recommend your other oral hygiene products like mouthwash or water pick. Depending on your condition, your dentist may need you to undergo several other dental procedures, which include:
Surgery
In rare yet severe cases, especially when the patient experience inflammation persistently, they may need to undergo a flap surgery to clean the deposits under the gums. However, if pain worries you, your dentist will give you anesthesia to perform the surgical procedure.
During surgery, your dental practitioner will lift your gums and clean your gums and teeth. After cleaning, they will suture your gums into its place. Nevertheless, if you have had any bone loss, your dentist will perform bone grafting at the same time, so that the flap surgery regenerate the lost bone effectively.
Antibiotics
Your dentist may prescribe certain antibiotics, including a gel, mouthwash, capsule, or oral tablet. The medication will help alleviate the severity of gum infection, which have not completely vanished through cleanings.
Professional cleanings
In mild cases, your first undergo professional cleaning, where a dentist removes the accumulated tartar and plaque from your teeth and roots. After root cleaning, your dentist may polish your teeth. Not to mention, every periodontal pocket present in your teeth will need thorough cleaning to heal the gum. To remove the tartar and spots on the root, your dentist will use a dental procedure called root planing or scaling.
Follow-up appointments
After you have a professional cleaning, your dentist may want you to have some follow-ups after two weeks. Later, you may need to visit your dentist for a regular checkup. In case you develop pockets again, a dental professional will then recommend other dental procedures, like surgery.
In Conclusion
If you have developed gum disease, keep in mind that regular follow-up visits with a dental practitioner are vital to ensure that your disease does not lead to severity. Moreover, you will need to adopt dental hygiene habits while strictly following your dentist’s instructions.
In the end, periodontitis is preventable if you catch its symptoms at an early stage. Moreover, the treatment for gum disease can be effective and successful when you seek out experienced and proficient dental professionals; our dentists in Staten Island, NY, can provide you with the best dental treatment.