Patients who want to maintain the best oral health possible often express concerns about gum disease, and rightfully so. This condition can cause tooth and bone loss in the most severe cases. Fortunately, however, gum disease can be prevented. Furthermore, when patients do develop periodontal disease, effective treatments often are available.
A robust oral hygiene routine can cut your risk of periodontal disease. When you brush at least twice a day for at least two minutes each time and using proper technique, you will go far in minimizing the presence of plaque in your mouth. Be sure to add on at least one flossing session a day to get at the bacteria that might be hiding between or behind your teeth.
Seeing your dentist every six months for professional cleanings and checkups and eliminating risky habits like smoking can also help to prevent periodontal disease.
If, despite your best efforts to avoid it, you do develop gum disease, it’s important to consult with a periodontist promptly to get the appropriate treatment. Periodontal disease will advance into more serious forms if you don’t address it early.
Gum disease treatment may involve a deep cleaning to clear away the bacteria contained in plaque and calculus that collects between the gum and the tooth’s root. This procedure is also called a scaling and root planing. The periodontist may also smooth any rough surfaces along the root to remove spots where bacteria may collect. The patient may also receive antibiotic therapy as an adjunct to scaling and root planing.
Surgical procedures may be required in more severe cases of periodontal disease. Gum grafting is another intervention used to treat more advanced cases of periodontal disease in which the patient’s gum tissue has receded.
Other surgical interventions for periodontal disease include pocket depth reduction and guided tissue regeneration.
After your periodontal disease has been successfully treated, it’s important to continue to follow up with your periodontist for maintenance therapy as needed.
You can prevent gum disease, and it can be successfully treated when it does emerge. Be aware of the signs of periodontal disease so that you can get treatment early in the progression of the disease.