Gum Disease And You
At a recent visit to your dentist, you may have been told that you have periodontal or gum disease. Rest assured that you are not alone. Many adults in the United States are currently suffering from some form of this disease. Ranging from simple gum inflammation and bleeding to the more severe tooth and bone loss from damage to the soft tissue and bone that support your teeth, the treatment of gum disease can vary significantly from person to person.
Gingivitis is the name given to the more mild type of gum disease. Plaque and tartar form on the teeth from bacteria in your mouth and cause the gums to become swollen and red and bleed very easily. This early stage can be reversed by practicing good dental hygiene of daily brushing and flossing along with regular visits to your dentist for professional cleaning. If gingivitis goes untreated it can progress to periodontitis in which pockets form along the gum line where the gums pull away from the teeth and become infected. In response to the infection, your immune system along with the bacterial toxins may break down the connective tissue and bone that hold your teeth in place. If this goes untreated there will be eventual tooth and bone loss.
The main goal in the treatment of gum disease is to control the spread of infection. The types and number of treatments may vary depending on the seriousness and progression of the disease. Along with a good daily dental routine at home, your dentist may suggest a change in behaviors such as quitting smoking in order to increase the rate of success and improve the outcome of your treatment. The next step in this process may be prescription medication to control the bacteria along with the non surgical method of deep cleaning which is usually referred to as scaling and root planning. The process of scaling scrapes the tartar and plaque off above and below the gum lines while root planning rids the tooth of rough spots where bacteria and germs may gather. A laser may then be used to remove additional tartar and plaque as well.
If inflammation and deep pockets still remain, surgery might be the next necessary step in the process. Flap surgery may be performed by a dentist or periodontist in order to reduce the periodontal pocket and make it easier to keep clean or to remove tartar deposits that may have formed within the deep pockets. The gums are lifted back and once the tartar has been removed, the gums are sutured to fit more tightly around the tooth. In addition to this, the dentist may suggest bone grafting and guided tissue regeneration. This technique involves natural or synthetic bone being placed where there has been bone loss in order to promote growth and then piece of mesh like material is inserted between the gum tissue and the bone. This material allows the gum tissue and bone to regenerate while keeping them in their own areas.
A final option in the treatment of gum disease is the LANAP (Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure) laser. Instead of the traditional scalpel and suture surgery, this option involves the use of a laser to remove the infected tissue below the gum line without damaging the healthy tissue. The recovery time from this treatment is considerably less than that of the traditional surgery and may be a suitable option in your quest for a healthier, happier smile.
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