Gum disease is a chronic infection of the gum tissue that always requires prompt medical attention. But what is the best treatment for gum disease? In this article, we discuss the most common types of periodontal treatments and how they are used to improve oral health.
What Is the Best Treatment for Gum Disease?
There is no one universal best gum disease treatment. The type of treatment used for gum disease and its effectiveness depend on the condition’s severity. Gum disease has several stages:
- Gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease, can be fully treated, returning the gums to their natural, healthy state.
- Periodontitis, a chronic condition that occurs if gingivitis is not treated in time, can not be fully reversed, but can be controlled and prevented from advancing further.
- Advanced periodontitis is the most severe stage of gum disease that can lead to jawbone damage and even tooth loss if not properly controlled.
Let us look at the treatment options available at each stage of gum disease.
Treatments Used for Gingivitis
As we mentioned before, gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease. Its symptoms typically include the following:
- Red gums
- Puffy or swollen gums
- Gums that bleed often when you floss and brush your teeth
The methods employed to treat and reverse gingivitis typically include the following:
Improved Oral Hygiene Routine
Improved daily oral hygiene is a top priority when treating gum disease at any stage, as in the majority of cases it is caused by bacteria that live in plaque and tartar. To prevent plaque and tartar buildup, brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day for 2 full minutes and floss every evening. Ask your dentist to teach you proper techniques that are effective but do not harm your gums.
Frequent Professional Cleanings
People with gingivitis may be advised to undergo professional cleanings every 3 to 4 months to keep the teeth free of tartar and prevent its accumulation in periodontal pockets.
Treatments Used for Periodontitis
In addition to the symptoms we mentioned before, periodontitis might be signified by the following:
- Persistent bad breath or unpleasant taste in the mouth
- Gums that bleed nearly every time you floss or brush your teeth
- Receding gums (gums that pull away from the teeth, exposing their roots)
- Enlarged periodontal pockets
When treating periodontitis, improved oral hygiene remains a priority, and professional treatments will not produce a desirable effect if your daily at-home hygiene is ineffective.
Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning that removes plaque and tartar from periodontal pockets and underneath the gumline and smooths the tooth roots to prompt the gum tissue to reattach to the teeth.
Antibiotic Therapy
Oral or topical antibiotics are often prescribed to control the infection and reduce gum inflammation.
Treatments Used for Advanced Periodontitis
Advanced periodontitis can lead to such consequences as:
- Severe gum recession
- Pus in periodontal pockets
- Changes in teeth alignment
- Unstable teeth
- Tooth loss
- Jawbone damage
In addition to the methods we talked about before, advanced periodontitis can be treated with:
Pocket Reduction Surgery
Pocket reduction surgery (or flap surgery) reduces the size of enlarged periodontal pockets to prevent tartar from accumulating underneath the gumline.
Grafting and Guided Tissue Regeneration
Grafting and guided tissue regeneration are surgical procedures that are used to restore gum tissue or jawbone damaged by gum disease.
Treat Gum Disease at Glendora Family Dentistry
If you notice signs of gum disease, make an appointment with an experienced periodontal dentist for all ages without delay. Remember that gum disease can be reversed only in its earliest stages and that prompt treatment is always required. At Glendora Family Dentistry, we utilize a wide range of modern methods to help our clients improve and preserve their oral health.
