Gum Disease Treatment
Periodontal treatment methods depend upon the type and severity of the disease. Your Dothan Dentists and dental hygienist will evaluate for periodontal disease and recommend the appropriate treatment.
Periodontal disease progresses as the sulcus (pocket or space) between the tooth and gums gets filled with bacteria, plaque, and tartar, causing irritation to the surrounding tissues. When these irritants remain in the pocket space, they can cause damage to the gums and eventually, the bone that supports the teeth!
If the disease is caught in the early stages of gingivitis, and no damage has been done, one to two regular cleanings will be recommended. You will also be given instructions on improving your daily oral hygiene habits and having regular dental cleanings.
If the disease has progressed to more advanced stages, a special periodontal cleaning called scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) will be recommended. It is usually done one quadrant of the mouth at a time while the area is numb. In this procedure, tartar, plaque, and toxins are removed from above and below the gum line (scaling) and rough spots on root surfaces are made smooth (planing). This procedure helps gum tissue to heal and pockets to shrink. Medications, special medicated mouth rinses, and an electric tooth brush may be recommended to help control infection and healing.
If the pockets do not heal after scaling and root planing, periodontal surgery may be needed to reduce pocket depths, making teeth easier to clean. Your dentist may also recommend that you see a periodontist (specialist of the gums and supporting bone.
Gum Disease Treatment
Periodontal or gum disease is an infection of the gums and the bone around each tooth. It can be a localized infection or a generalized one present throughout the mouth. In its simplest form, periodontal disease is a bacterial infection that resides below the gum line.
The most common symptom of this disease is bleeding of the gums. While periodontal disease can be classified into several stages, it starts with gingivitis. When a patient has gingivitis, he or she will typically experience bleeding of the gums. Another symptom of gum disease is bad oral odor. If a patient’s mouth emits a bad odor at the time of flossing, eating or just in general, then he or she can be suffering from gum disease. Moreover, puffy red gums can also be an ominous sign of the disease. If during a clinical diagnosis, the pockets around your teeth exceed the length of three millimeters, then you are deemed to be suffering from periodontal disease.
