Gum disease is caused by a sticky white residue called plaque, which is teeming with dangerous bacteria. If this is not removed from your teeth and gums regularly, it can lead to clogged arteries, heart disease, stroke, and more.
A slight case of gingivitis can be reversed with regular dental cleanings and attentive home care, but more advanced gum disease may require minimally invasive gum surgery.
Prevention
Gum disease, the infection of gum tissue and bones that hold teeth in place, is preventable with good home dental care and regular professional cleanings. If gum disease is caught early, most of the time it can be completely eliminated.
Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease treatment Glendale AZ and shows as red, puffy and bleeding gums. Gingivitis can be reversed at this stage if the patient improves their daily brushing and flossing techniques, goes for routine professional cleanings every 4-6 months, and eats a balanced diet.
If gingivitis is left untreated, bacteria continue to infect and irritate the gums and bone that holds teeth in place. The bacterial infection causes pockets to form and more severe gum disease known as periodontitis is the result. In the later stages of periodontitis the bone and fibers that hold teeth in place are irreversibly destroyed.
Some people are more prone to gum disease than others. Certain health conditions like diabetes or HIV can weaken the immune system making it harder for the body to fight infection. Hormonal changes associated with pregnancy, puberty or menopause may also lead to gum disease. Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and medications that reduce saliva production or cause xerostomia (dry mouth). Regular professional cleanings can help reduce the risk of gum disease by removing harmful plaque, bacteria and tartar that is more difficult to remove at home.
Early Detection
If left untreated, gingivitis leads to a more serious condition known as periodontitis. This is when the infection spreads to underlying tissue and bone, which can lead to loose teeth, bad breath, gum pockets, localized swellings filled with pus and even changes in your bite. While more advanced stages of gum disease can’t be reversed, it is possible to slow the progression through good oral hygiene practices and regular visits for professional cleanings.
If you notice swollen or bleeding gums, see your dentist right away for an exam and treatment. They will use a probe to measure the depth of pockets around each tooth, take dental X-rays to check for bone loss and possibly refer you to a periodontist, a dentist with advanced training who specializes in treating gum disease.
Antibiotics may be prescribed to control the infection and a special deep cleaning called scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) will be done while the area is numb. This removes hardened plaque, disinfects the area and smoothes out rough spots on the tooth roots to encourage healing. Bone grafts can be used to replace bone destroyed by gum disease and new technology promotes tissue regeneration and bone growth to restore stability to the teeth. Soft tissue grafts can reinforce thin gums or fill in areas where the gums have receded.
Non-Surgical Treatment
The most common non-surgical gum disease treatment Glendale AZ is periodontal maintenance dental cleaning. This procedure includes scaling and root planing. These procedures remove bacteria hiding under the gums (plaque and tartar) and smooth rough spots on or near the roots of the teeth that can cause bacterial infections. For moderate to severe periodontitis, this is a non-surgical treatment that can help preserve the tooth’s attachment and prevent loosening and loss.
In addition to dental cleaning, we may recommend antibiotics that destroy gum disease-causing bacteria. You can use mouthwashes containing these medications or take oral antibiotics as prescribed by Dr. team.
If the bone and tissue that hold your teeth are damaged by gum disease, we can perform a soft-tissue or bone and tissue graft to promote new growth and restore stability to your teeth. These procedures can also help alleviate pain and discomfort caused by advanced periodontitis.
LANAP (laser-assisted new attachment procedure) is a new, non-surgical option for treating periodontitis. This procedure uses a laser instead of cutting into the gum tissue, so there’s less bleeding and recovery time. LANAP is also an excellent choice for patients who need periodontal surgery but cannot tolerate traditional surgical methods, including those who require blood thinners or have conditions like diabetes that make it unsafe to undergo general anesthesia.
My written – Conclusion:
Gum disease treatment is crucial for maintaining oral health and preventing tooth loss. It typically begins with a thorough dental cleaning to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth and below the gum line. This process, known as scaling and root planing, helps eliminate the bacteria causing the infection and smoothens the tooth roots, allowing the gums to reattach to the teeth.
