4 Treatments for Gum Disease

If you suffer from gum disease like many older Americans, you may experience pain and tenderness in your gums, especially when brushing. Bleeding and inflammation are also common, which can make life painful. If left untreated, your gum disease can advance and affect the jawbone. For this reason, whether you are just showing the first signs of gingivitis or you have advanced periodontitis, treatment is a must. Check out these treatments for gum disease.

Scaling and Root Planing

If you have any form of gum disease, treatment should begin by cleaning the teeth. While a regular cleaning helps, you really need a deeper cleaning or scaling and root planing. During scaling and root palning, the dentist cleans below the gum line to remove bacteria and plaque. This is important because people with gum disease often develop pockets or gaps between the gums and teeth. This exposes part of the tooth root, which isn't protected by enamel. Bushing regularly helps, but it's easy to miss the plaque trapped in the pocket. The dentist will also smooth any rough patches, which helps prevent bacteria from getting trapped.

Antibiotics and Antibiotic Mouthwash

During scaling and root planing, your dentist may use special antibiotic gel or chips. These are often inserted inside the pockets to kill any residual bacteria. Your dentist may also prescribe special antibiotic mouthwash. This mouthwash is designed to help kill the bacteria that causes gum disease. Last, if your gum disease is extremely severe, your dentist may prescribe oral antibiotics during painful flairs.

Gum Flap Surgery

After you start treating your gum disease, you may need additional treatments to correct permanent issues. For example, if your pockets are too big, they are more likely to trap bacteria and plaque. Overtime, the pockets may shrink, but depending on your overall oral health, your dentist may recommend gum flap surgery. During this procedure, the dentist makes incisions to pull the gums away from the teeth. The teeth and roots are fully cleaned, and the gums are repositioned so they are taught against the teeth, which closes any gaps.

Bone and Gum Grafts

If you suffer from periodontitis or advanced gum disease, it may cause your gums and jawbone to diminish. This leaves your tooth roots exposed and your jawbone too weak to support your teeth. To correct this, you may need a bone and/or gum graft, which will promote new tissue. However, your dentist will only recommend grafts if your gum disease is well controlled.

Gum disease is common, but you don't have to suffer with the symptoms. These treatments can reverse early gum disease, and improve the symptoms of advanced periodontitis. For more information about gum disease or treatments, contact a dentist office like Carpenter Dental.