Curing Gum Disease

The first thing your dentist or periodontist will determine in order to develop a treatment plan is the severity of your gum disease. If you have been diagnosed with gingivitis, this means your gum disease is in its early stages. This is a very common disease that is caused by an infection in your gum tissue, which in turn makes your gums irritated and swollen. This is the easiest type of gum disease to treat, and provided you follow proper maintenance following your procedure, you should be able to reverse its effects.

If you have been informed that your gum disease has developed into periodontitis, you will need to schedule an appointment with a periodontist, who specializes in treating advanced periodontal diseases.

How to Detect Gum Disease

During your checkup, your dentist will measure the space between your gum and your teeth to determine if you are currently suffering from periodontal disease. A healthy pocket should measure 3 millimeters or less, but periodontal diseases cause these pockets to deepen, making them more difficult to treat and at greater risk for developing infection.

What Treatment Options are Available?

If your dentist has determined that you have developed gum disease, the first thing they will do is provide a professional cleaning to remove the plaque and calculus that has formed on the surfaces of your teeth and underneath your gums. Your dentist may also examine the overall structure and health of your mouth to address any issues that may prove a hindrance in taking care of your teeth at home. If any significant issues are spotted, your periodontist may recommend additional procedures to ensure the overall health of your gum and teeth down the line.

One of the more common nonsurgical treatments for individuals suffering from gum disease is scaling and root planing, which will remove the calculus and plaque to help the gums heal and pockets that have formed to lessen in size. Scaling is the removal of plaque and tartar that have attached to the surface of your teeth. The scaling process generally takes place below the gum line, along the root of your teeth. Root planing is a procedure that will smooth out the root of your teeth, which then promotes faster healing and prevents bacteria from developing in the future.

Best Practices for Daily Oral Care

Provided your treatment is successful, your gums should remain in good health, provided you continue practicing good oral hygiene habits. Continue to brush and floss your teeth at least twice daily, paying particular attention to always brush before you go to bed. It is also a good idea to use a fluoride toothpaste, as doing so provides added protection against tooth decay and much needed protection for your teeth. It is also important that you continue visiting your dentist twice a year. Practicing good every day habits is crucial to maintaining good oral health, but visiting your dentist will allow them to remove calculus and address potential issues before they become real problems.