Saving Your Smile: Effective Treatments for Gum Disease

If you have gum disease, your dentist can treat it to prevent further damage and save your teeth. Treatment options range from nonsurgical therapies that control bacteria to surgical procedures that restore tissue and bone.

Red and swollen gum disease treatment dallas tx that bleed easily are one of the first warning signs. When not treated, gum disease can lead to tooth loss and increase your risk for serious health problems like heart disease and diabetes.

Scaling and Root Planing

This nonsurgical treatment is usually the first line of defense against gum disease. It consists of a deep dental cleaning -- scaling and root planing -- that removes bacteria hiding underneath the gum line. The gum pockets are then closed to prevent recurrence of the infection.

During this procedure, your periodontist or dental hygienist may need to use local anesthesia. They will scrape the teeth above and below the gum line, removing plaque and tartar from the surface of the tooth and the roots as well. They may also smooth out rough spots on the tooth's roots to discourage bacteria from reattaching to them.

Gum disease can cause swollen, bleeding gums (gingivitis). Gingivitis is reversible with proper oral hygiene practices, including brushing twice daily for two to three minutes each time and flossing daily along with regular dental visits and professional cleanings. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to more serious gum diseases that result in bone and tooth loss.

Antibiotics

The mouth is a warm, moist, and perfect home for millions of bacteria that thrive on plaque. When the body’s immune system is working well, these bacteria are killed before they can cause damage, but sometimes the amount of harmful bacteria is too great for the immune system to handle. That’s where antibiotics come in.

Antibiotics are powerful germ-fighting medications that, when used properly, can help fight gum disease. Your physician chooses a specific antibiotic for you and your infection based on the bacteria that are causing it. He or she will also ensure that you’re taking the correct antibiotic for the right length of time to avoid developing resistance.

You can also use antibiotic-containing toothpaste and antimicrobial mouthwash. These products containing chlorhexidine and/or triclosan are available both over the counter and by prescription. You can swish the mouthwash around the gum disease treatment dallas tx area as part of your daily brushing routine to reduce bacteria and improve your oral health.

Bone Grafting

A surgical procedure, bone grafting transplants tissue from elsewhere in your mouth or from a donor source to areas of your jaw with reduced density. It can improve stability for dental implants and reduce sensitivity in the area, promoting better overall oral health.

It can also be used to repair damage caused by severe gum disease, restoring health and stability to the affected area. The grafting material can come from an autograft, allograft, xenograft, or synthetic materials.

A minor surgical procedure, the surgeon makes a small incision and places the grafting material, which acts as a scaffold that your body will naturally replace with new bone tissue over time. You may experience some discomfort after the surgery, which can be managed with a mild pain reliever and cold compresses. It is important that you follow the post-surgical guidelines to promote healing and prevent complications.

Periodontal Surgery

If non-surgical treatment is not effective, surgery may be recommended to halt the progression of gum disease and repair damage. During this procedure, the periodontist removes any infected tissue and debris that has accumulated beneath the gumline. The periodontist may also use a bone graft to replace any damaged bone. This graft material can come from your own jaw bone, or synthetic or donated bone. The graft material acts as scaffolding for the natural bone that will regenerate around it over time.

Other types of gum surgery include gingivectomy to reduce the thickness of the gum tissue, crown lengthening to expose more of a tooth’s surface, or frenectomy to remove the tissue that connects your tongue to the floor of your mouth (also known as the frenulum). Gum surgery can help restore health to the gums and teeth.

After a periodontal surgery, it is important to follow the post-surgical guidelines provided by your doctor. This will help ensure a healthy recovery and prevent the recurrence of gum disease.