Gum disease is a serious oral health concern that can cause significant damage when left untreated. Gum disease has far-reaching adverse effects and can impact the cardiovascular system. Those diagnosed with gum disease require immediate treatment to stop the progression of damage and protect their oral and overall health. In severe cases or when patients neglect to seek treatment, gum disease can lead to massive tooth loss.
What Is Gum Disease?
The dentists at Northstar Dental want their patients to be aware of the symptoms of gum disease. Gum disease causes various signs, including red and irritated gums, pus drainage, foul breath, and loosening teeth. Bleeding while brushing is among the most common initial signs of gum disease.
Gum disease affects the gum tissue and can cause it to become inflamed and infected. Eventually, the infections resulting from gum disease can impact your tooth health and even travel to the heart. Those who suspect gum disease must schedule an appointment with the dentist immediately.
Treatment Options for Gum Disease
Multiple treatment options can help control gum disease and improve a patient’s oral health. Treatments are more effective when begun in the earliest stages of gum disease. Gingivitis is the only gum disease that is entirely reversible. There are no cures for gum disease, but it can be managed effectively.
Professional Dental Cleanings
A deep dental cleaning can help remove plaque and tartar below the gumline. Those with gum disease need these integral cleanings at least twice yearly to keep their teeth and gums healthy.
Scaling and Planing
Scaling and planing is a much more involved type of dental cleaning that involves removing plaque and tartar from below the gum line on the roots and smoothing the rough spots on tooth roots to make them healthier. Scaling and planing removes bacteria and diseased tooth tissue. Dentists treat gum disease with scaling and planing done under a local anesthetic.
Medications
There are multiple medication approaches to treating gum disease, but not all are effective at all stages. Patients prescribed antibiotic gel apply the medication to their gum pockets to fight infection and shrink the pockets. Patients can also place medical chips into their pockets to treat their gum disease. Patients may also be prescribed an enzyme blocker tablet to neutralize enzymes in the mouth and prevent them from breaking down gum tissue.
Also read: How to Cure Gum Disease at Home Without Going to a Dentist?
Surgical Intervention
Surgery may be the only treatment option in severe cases of gum disease. Flap reduction surgery cleans the teeth to the root and removes the plaque and tartar trapped underneath the gum tissue. The gum tissue is placed back into the correct position and may be sutured to tighten it and reduce the pocket formations. Bone surgery often becomes necessary and may involve the placement of bone grafts.
Schedule a Consultation Appointment
Gum disease can happen at any age but becomes more prevalent after 40. Many people ignore the initial warning signs of gum disease and do not seek prompt treatment. Gum disease is progressive and will eventually cause severe complications, including tooth loss.
The treatments above can help manage gum disease and prevent it from impacting your tooth health. Schedule a consultation appointment with the dentist if you believe you have the symptoms of gum disease. Prompt intervention will protect your oral health and smile beauty.
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