Treatments for Gum Disease
If you have recently been diagnosed with gum disease, there are several treatment options available to you. If your dentist has determined that you have developed gum disease, they will either suggest a follow up appointment, or discuss contacting a local periodontist who specializes in the treatments you require. This type of diagnosis will generally depend upon the severity of your case, the specialty field of your dentist, and what type of treatment you may require.
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 can cause these pockets to deepen, making them more difficult to treat and at greater risk for developing infection.
One of the more common nonsurgical treatments for individuals suffering from gum disease is scaling and root planing. This process removes the calculus and plaque in order to help 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 will then promote faster healing and reducing bacterial amounts in the future.
How Often Do I Need a Checkup?
After you have had your first periodontal treatment, you will want to schedule regular checkups with your dentist. In some cases when the disease is more severe, your dentist and periodontist may schedule frequent cleanings and checkups immediately following your procedure in order to maintain good gum health and prevent further disease from developing. Fortunately, these checkups will generally be painless, and the majority of periodontal diseases are treatable through the scaling and root planing process.
Post Appointment Care
Following your initial appointment, your dentist will likely prescribe antibiotics and/or medications to help facilitate the healing process and to alleviate any pain you may be feeling. During these follow up appointments, your dentists will continue to monitor whether the pockets have decreased to the appropriate depth, and what the overall health of your gums are. You will also be given additional instructions on proper oral health care maintenance.
Provided your treatment is successful, you should be able to look forward to a lifetime of improved oral health that is free from periodontal disease, provided you continue proper oral maintenance. It is important that you continue to brush and floss your teeth at least twice daily, paying particular attention to always brush and floss before you go to bed. It is also critically important that you continue visiting your dentist twice a year. Practicing good oral healthcare habits every day is crucial to maintaining good oral health, but scheduling regular visits to your dentist will allow them to remove calculus and address potential issues before they turn into more serious gum diseases.