Gum Treatments
gum treatment can save your teeth
Gum treatment is essential in maintaining healthy teeth because your gums provide support and protection for your pearly whites. Gum tissue is also what keeps them in place. So, if you have some form of gum disease, the faster you get treatment, the better.
There are various types of gum treatments based on the type of problem you have, including gum recession treatment, gum inflammation treatment and bleeding gums treatment. Treatments can also be categorized by non-surgical and surgical treatments. The former are non-invasive and can help when gum disease hasn’t advanced significantly. Surgical treatments are used for more advanced cases of gum disease and can include bone grafts, soft tissue grafts, guided tissue regeneration and more.
Understanding gum disease
Gum disease is the result of improper oral hygiene. It begins in the areas that aren’t keep clean because of bacteria building up and creating plaque, which subsequently turns into tartar. The longer this bacteria hangs around, the more harmful it becomes, leading to the first phase of gum disease, which is inflammation. Swelling of the gums is also known as gingivitis.
Other signs that you might have gum disease include bleeding when you brush or floss, sores in your mouth, bad breath, receding gums, redness of the gums, and loose teeth. The problem is that pain isn’t one of the first symptoms, which means you need to pay attention and look out for any of the other symptoms.
If you don’t get gum treatment, the gingivitis will progress, leading to infection. The infection and swelling then spread deeper, which can lead to loose teeth. Receding gums allow even more bacteria in, at which point you have periodontitis, which causes the bone and tissue that supports your teeth to break down. Your teeth will get looser and looser and will eventually fall out.
So, if you want to avoid losing your teeth, then you need to get gum treatment as quickly as possible.
How Does gum treatment Work?
If you are in the early stages of gum disease, the first thing we will do is remove the plaque and tartar, which are the main causes of gum problems. A deep cleaning procedure known as scaling in which plaque and tartar are removed from above and below the gum line under anesthetic might also be necessary. Some root planing, which involves smoothing out any rough spots on the root of your tooth to remove bacteria and allow the gums to reattach properly, might also be required.
In some cases, we may resort to laser gum treatment, which helps with the removal of plaque and tartar. The advantage is that there is less swelling and bleeding and there is less discomfort.
If this doesn’t solve the problem, or you gum disease is more advanced, we might have to resort to some form of surgical gum treatment. The type of treatment depends on your condition but can include bone grafts to replace damaged bone and soft tissue grafts to reinforce your gums. The precise type of gum treatment that is suitable for your particular situation will be determined when you come in for a consultation.
taking care of your gums after treatment
Ideally, you want to avoid the problems that led to gum disease developing in the first place, which means maintaining excellent oral hygiene. This involves brushing at least twice per day, flossing regularly, and using an antiseptic mouth wash.
Also, make sure to visit us regularly so we can keep your gums and teeth healthy. This way, you can avoid serious gum treatment in the future, especially if you come in to get plaque and tartar removed regularly.
Remember, looking after your gums is essential to the health of your teeth and to your overall well-being. So, book an appointment today and let’s get started on your gum treatment!