Gum Treatment

What are the stages of Gum Diseases?

Gum diseases are of three stages

Gingivitis:

It is the most benign form of gum disease that causes swelling, redness and irritation of your gums. The most common cause of gingivitis is poor oral hygiene. The symptoms of this stage include bad breath, red, swollen gums that bleed easily. Taking proper care of your gums and teeth, including flossing daily, brushing at least twice a day and regular dental check-ups can definitely help prevent gingivitis.

Periodontitis:

When gingivitis is not treated properly, it may advance to periodontitis. It is a serious gum disease, which generally forms around the infected teeth. It is primarily caused by the bacteria in the dental plaque. As the infection grows stronger, the bones, gums and tissues attached to the teeth start to pull away and form spaces between your gums and teeth that fill with bacteria and tartar. This can result in a loss of tissue and bone. You may lose one or more teeth if too much bone is destroyed. Only a dentist can remove tartar, so the sooner you seek care, the better your chances of reversing damage from periodontitis.

Advanced periodontitis:

In this stage, there is colossal damage to the gums and teeth that result in inflammation of the gum and its surrounding tissue. The ultimate disastrous result of this stage is severe bone loss.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Gum Disease?

• Swollen and red gums
• Bleeding gums
• Painful gums
• Perpetual bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Improper teeth alignment
• Pain in the teeth while chewing
• Pus between teeth and gum

What are the Causes of Gum Disease?

• Poor oral hygiene can lead to gum diseases.
• Smoking is one of the fundamental reasons behind gum diseases. Excessive smoking can also lower the chances of successful treatment.
• People who have a genetic susceptibility problem or any type of prolonged family history of dental problems are more prone to gum diseases.
• Hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, menopause, etc. can make gums more sensitive and make it easier for gum diseases to develop.
• The use of various types of medications can reduce the flow of saliva. The mouth is vulnerable to gum diseases without enough saliva.
• People with diabetes are also at higher risk of developing gum infections.

How to Prevent Gum Diseases?

• Brush your teeth twice a day with a toothpaste containing fluoride.
• Floss regularly to remove food particles and plaque from in between the teeth and under the gum line.
• Go for regular dental checkups. Usually, you should visit your dentist once every six months.
• Use tartar-control toothpaste.
• Eat a balanced diet that includes food with antioxidant properties.
• Quit smoking-It has been found that smokers are seven times more prone to gum diseases as compared to non-smokers.
• Try using an electric toothbrush, it is more effective at removing tartar and plaque.

What are the Treatment Options for Gum Diseases?

Non-surgical Gum Treatments:

These treatments are generally advised by the dentist to control the growth of bacteria inside your mouth.

Professional dental cleaning :

When you visit a dentist for your gum problems, he/she will first clear out the tartar and plaque that has accumulated on your tooth surface. If symptoms of gum diseases are slightly more severe, you will be recommended to visit the dentist twice or thrice a year.

Deep cleaning :

This process is also known as scaling and root planing. Scaling is a process in which plaque and tartar are removed from your tooth surface and from beneath your gums. Root planing discourages further build-up of tartar and pre-existent bacteria by smoothing the root surfaces. The process is generally carried out under the influence of local anaesthesia for your comfort.

Surgical Gum Treatments:

In some cases, treatment may require dental surgery. For example, your gum tissue may not respond to non-surgical treatments if you have advanced periodontitis.

Flap Surgery:

It is also known as pocket reduction surgery, which is primarily used to decrease the space between the gum and tooth. The tartar deposited in the deep pockets is removed so that a section of gum tissue can be lifted back.

Bone Graft:

This process replaces the bones that are lost to the gum disease by adding a part of your own bone or the bone may be synthetic or donated. It helps prevent tooth loss by holding your tooth in place.

Soft Tissue Graft:

This procedure is usually done to reduce further gum recession and give your teeth a better appearance. The procedure works by removing a small amount of tissue from the roof of your mouth and attaching it to the affected site.

Gum disease can usually be reversed if you seek necessary treatment and are persistent in improving your oral hygiene. The prognosis is better when a cure is obtained in the early stages. So, visit Zee Dent to treat gum disease as early as possible.