If you start to notice redness or swelling of your gums, you are likely suffering from gum disease. With the right gum disease treatment, serious issues are largely preventable. However, many patients wait far too long before visiting their Marietta dentist. At the first sign of an issue with your gums, you should take the following steps.
What Are the Best Treatments for Gum Disease?
Gum disease, or periodontitis, is an infection that will get worse without treatment. In the early stages patients may only experience some minor swelling and inflammation. However, this infection can progress from its mild form – called gingivitis – to a more serious infection referred to as periodontal disease. To treat the issue, it is imperative that you visit your local dentist for one of the following treatments.
Regular Dental Cleanings
While some gum infection treatments can be complex, good oral hygiene is often enough to maintain healthy gums. The process starts at home with regular brushing and flossing, but also needs to be supported with oral exams and dental cleanings. Most dentists recommend a visit every six months, though this could be more frequent if an issue is identified. For most patients, sticking to a regular routine of dental care will be enough to prevent gum infection.
Scaling
Scaling is used to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth and below the gumline. Plaque is one of the early signs of gum disease, but it can be removed easily using a scraping tool or ultrasonic device. Plaque can break down tooth enamel even in less severe cases. But potentially, plaque and tartar can damage the bones that hold teeth in place, and this can lead to tooth loss.
Root Planing
Root planing is a deep clean that is often required if plaque has spread beneath the gum line. Inspection of your teeth and gums may highlight areas where the gum appears to be detached from a tooth. As bacteria spreads and plaque hardens, it can lead to the gum separating from the tooth surface. Fortunately, if your dentist can perform root planing early enough, the pockets between teeth and gums can be minimized.
Surgery for Gum Disease
Sadly, if gum disease goes untreated, these simple procedures may no longer be effective. To limit the impact of periodontitis in these instances, restorative dentistry treatments that involve surgery may be used. Examples of these surgical treatments include flap surgery, bone grafting and soft tissue grafts. Of course, surgery won’t be necessary for most patients, particularly when treatment is sought at the first sign of an issue.
Leading Gum Disease Treatment in Marietta and Beyond
Gum disease is a serious infection that can potentially lead to bone damage and tooth loss. If you want to maintain healthy gums and teeth, Shining Smiles Family Dentistry is available for routine oral exams and gum disease treatments. To visit us in Marietta, call (770) 824-1680 or request an appointment today.
