Different Forms of Treatment for Gum Disease
Gum disease is a common oral health issue that stems from bacterial growth in the mouth. When bacterial growth goes untreated, gums can become red, irritated, and swollen. If gum disease becomes severe, it can lead to tooth decay. There are several different treatment methods for gum disease. The method of treatment used depends on the severity of the disease. The unique needs of patients and their oral health history will factor into the type of treatment used, too. There are surgical and non-surgical methods for treating gum disease.
Non-Surgical Methods of Gum Disease Treatment
Professional dental cleaning is the primary form of treatment for all types of gum disease. Most dentists or dental hygienists perform routine cleaning during dental appointments. This type of cleaning removes plaque and tartar that naturally accumulate on teeth. Plaque and tartar can build up above and below gum lines. Dentists and dental hygienists use special tools to remove plaque buildup. In many cases, the removal of plaque and tartar alleviates the symptoms of gum disease. Dentists typically provide professional cleaning services twice per year. Patients with gum disease may be advised to get more frequent professional cleanings.
Scaling and root planing is another form of non-surgical gum disease treatment. This method is more in-depth than a traditional dental cleaning. This deep cleaning is performed with the use of a topical or local anesthetic. During this procedure, plaque and tartar are carefully scraped away. This scraping is called scaling, and it is done above and below gum lines. Planing is the process of smoothing down rough spots that occur on tooth roots. Planing removes bacteria and leaves teeth clean. This allows the gums to reattach to the newly cleaned teeth. Scaling and planing procedures are done when a dentist determines there is plaque or tartar accumulation under the gums.
Surgical Methods of Gum Disease Treatment
Surgical methods of gum disease treatment are used in severe cases. Surgery is only used when the gum tissue is so unhealthy that is cannot be treated by scaling and root planing. Pocket reduction surgery is a procedure for lifting back gums in order to safely remove plaque. After the cleaning process is complete, gums are safely secured around the teeth. Soft tissue grafts are used to treat thin or receding gums. Tissue is taken from the roof of the mouth and applied to the thinning or receding areas. Other surgical methods include bone grafts and guided tissue regeneration.
The type of gum disease treatment used is chosen at the discretion of a dentist or periodontist. The length and aftercare of the procedure will largely depend on the severity of gum disease. Professional dental cleaning do not require follow up care outside of traditional brushing and flossing. Surgical methods for gum disease treatment may require the use of antibiotics, pain medication, and additional aftercare routines. For more information, visits like http://www.neufamilydental.com.
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