How Do You Treat Gum Disease?

Gum disease is a common dental problem that can silently creep into our mouths. This is because you may have mild symptoms that you don’t catch until it’s too late. Without proper treatment, gum disease can wreak havoc on your oral health. However, there are many ways to treat gum disease before it does major damage to your health.

Heading Off Gum Disease: The First Line of Defense

One of the best ways to combat gum disease is to prevent it in the first place. Your oral hygiene is a huge factor in developing gum disease. Therefore, prevention starts with a great oral hygiene routine. Regular brushing, flossing, and rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash help keep plaque at bay. As a result, you can reduce your risk of gum disease.

Additionally, you need to maintain regular checkups with your dentist. Routine visits to the dentist play a pivotal role in early detection. Dentists can identify signs of gum disease before it progresses. This allows for timely intervention.

Treatment Approaches

In the early stages of gum disease, your dentist may recommend a non-surgical procedure called scaling and root planing. This involves removing plaque and tartar from the tooth surfaces. Then, they will smooth out the root surfaces to prevent further bacterial buildup.

In some cases, you may need antibiotics to control bacterial infections associated with gum disease. These medications can get rid of the bacteria and inflammation that causes gum disease.

Surgical Intervention

When gum disease moves to an advanced stage, flap surgery may be needed. This process involves lifting the gums to remove tartar deposits. Then, they will secure the gums back in place. It helps to get rid of deep pockets that form between the teeth and gums.

In severe cases where there is bone loss, you may need a grafting procedure. This involves adding synthetic or natural bone material to restore bone density and support the teeth. Tissue grafts can also improve gum tissue that has receded.

Laser Therapy

With gum disease treatment, many dentists use dental lasers. While this may seem futuristic, lasers are reliable and popular tools.

Laser therapy is more popular as a minimally invasive option for treating gum disease. It uses laser energy to remove inflamed gum tissue and get rid of bacteria. As a result, the precision of lasers reduces pain and promotes faster healing.

Furthermore, some lasers can stimulate the regeneration of gum tissue and bone. This aids in the repair process. This can be beneficial in cases of moderate gum disease.