Gum disease is extremely common, with many adults – especially those over age 40 – having this issue. It’s caused by bacteria, plaque, and tartar that remain on the teeth for too long. In its early stages, gum disease starts with inflammation, and if it’s not properly treated, it can progress to damage to the tissue and bone that support the teeth. Teeth can even become loose and eventually fall out.
If you have any of the following symptoms of gum disease, you should visit your dentist to ask about treatment:
- Persistent bad breath
- Red or swollen gums
- Tender or bleeding gums
- Teeth that appear longer
- Gums that appear to be receding
When you go to your dentist, he or she will examine your gums and use a probe to check for and measure any pockets around your teeth. If the depth of these pockets is more than 3 millimeters, you may have gum disease. An X-ray may to done to check for bone loss, and you may be referred to a periodontist (gum disease specialist).
Fortunately, gum disease can be treated by using one or more of the following methods:
Scaling and root planing
This non-surgical procedure is often the first step used to treat gum disease. It’s a more extensive form of cleaning than you normally receive at a dental appointment since your dentist or periodontist will remove built-up plaque, bacteria, and tartar from the surfaces of your teeth as well as from under your gumline during the scaling portion of the procedure. Root planing smooths the rough areas on the surface of the roots of your teeth so plaque, bacteria, and tartar will have a harder time adhering to your gumline in the future. As a result, your gums will be able to heal and firmly reattach themselves to your teeth.
Depending on the extent of your gum disease, it may take more than one office visit to complete scaling and root planing, and patients are often given a local anesthetic to help minimize discomfort. You may also take medication afterward to help control infection and help with healing.
Your dentist will also schedule another appointment for a few weeks or months after your scaling and root planing treatment to see how your gums are healing. If the area of gum that’s pulled away from your teeth (known as periodontal pockets) has gotten deeper or your teeth have lost some of their supporting done, you may need a different type of treatment.
Flap surgery
This type of surgery is used to lift back the gums to remove tartar and other built-up material and to reduce the size of the periodontal pocket, making it easier to keep clean in the future.
Your gums will then be stitched back into place, allowing them to fit tightly around your tooth.
Bone and tissue grafts
This type of surgery is often performed in addition to flap surgery if you’ve lost gum or bone tissue. Natural or synthetic bone can be placed where you’ve lost bone, or a piece of mesh-like material can be placed between your gums and bone. This enables the bone and connective tissue to regrow.
Your dentist may also use growth factors, which are proteins that help you naturally regrow bone. In addition, you may receive a soft tissue graft, which covers exposed tooth roots with tissue taken from another area of your mouth or a synthetic material.
Aftercare
Your dentist or periodontist will let you know how often you’ll need to return for an appointment to have your gums examined and your teeth cleaned. You should also make sure you brush your teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and floss daily.
Good oral care can help prevent gum disease, but if you do develop this issue, prompt treatment is key. Treating it is much easier in its earlier stages, and you’ll reduce your chances of having long-term effects such as tooth loss.
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