Dental Services > Gum Treatment

Gum Treatment

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is an infection of the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth. It is a very serious disease that can result in a tooth loss, but it is generally painless, so you may not even know you have it. Currently, it is believed that that the start and progression of periodontal disease (also known as periodontitis) is determined by the body's response to infection caused by bacteria in plaque. Gum disease is silently affecting over 50 million Americans, most of whom are not seeking treatment.

Gum disease is usually caused by a buildup of plaque, an invisible sticky layer of germs that forms naturally on the teeth and gums. Plaque contains bacteria, which produce toxins that irritate and damage the gums.

Anyone at any age is susceptible to gum disease.

If you notice any of these warning signs, see your dentist:

Gums that bleed during toothbrushing
Red, swollen or tender gums
Gums that have pulled away from your teeth
Persistent bad breath
Pus between the teeth and gums
Loose or separating teeth
A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
A change in the fit of partial dentures

Your teeth were intended to last a lifetime and they can, if cared for properly!

Gum treatment Routine and regular visits to your dentist are the best way of catching gum disease in its early stages before too much damage has been caused. Gum disease will not go away by itself or with improved home care. The only way of removing plaque deep under the gums is with professional cleanings. Once you have had a gum problem you will always be susceptible to recurring problems, so be sure to see your dentist on a regular basis - every three to four months, unless he or she recommends otherwise.

Normal tooth cleanings remove plaque and calculus deposits from above the gum line. When these deposits extend below the gum line, root planning is necessary.

Root planning is performed with the same tools as normal cleanings, but the procedure is more aggressive. Often it is necessary to numb the affected area before the procedure. Once the accumulated plaque and calculus have been removed, the gums will heal, tightening around the teeth. Depending upon the extent of disease found in the examination, root planning may be done over several office visits. In this way, your dentist can assess the progress of treatment, and alter tactics if necessary.

Simply stated, root planning may be considered as an extension of a "routine cleaning". A "routine cleaning" is intended to clean harden deposits that form above the gums. Over time, these deposits often form below the gums, on the roots. It is at this point that we recommend a more therapeutic procedure, called root planning.

The first line of defense is proper dental hygiene:

Brush your teeth after every meal.
If any bleeding is noticed while brushing, this means you need to brush and floss more often or more thoroughly and that you need your teeth professionally cleaned.
Floss at least once/day using proper flossing methods. By not flossing you allow the bacteria to build up to dangerous levels.
Decrease the quantity and frequency of your consumption of sugar. Sugar helps plaque grow.
Visit your dentist twice a year.
Mouth rinse containing chlorhexidine, an anti-microbial agent, which removes excess bacteria.
Use a high quality electric tooth bruth such Sonicare , which uses sound waves to remove plaque, or the Braun Oral-B OxyJet Oral Irrigator to massage the gums.

You should not rely on this information as a substitute for personal, medical and/or dental attention or diagnosis. Without all available information about a patient, it is impossible to make a diagnosis. Information given on this website is given in the form of general ideas. Royal Dental Spa makes no warranty of any kind with respect to the subject matter. Only you, your dentist and health care provider can make an appropriate treatment decision.

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