What are some gum disease treatments?
Newark Gum disease is the inflammation of the gums. When left untreated, it can progress to affect the bone which surrounds and supports the teeth. The progression and three stages of gum disease include gingivitis, periodontitis and advanced periodontitis.
Signs and Symptoms
Gum disease is often painless, especially in the early stages. As a result, it is important to understand the symptoms:
- Bleeding gums during brushing and/or flossing
- Gums which are swollen, red or tender
- Receding gums which pull away from the tooth
- Persistent bad breath and/or a bad taste in mouth
- Teeth becoming loose
- Change in the way the teeth fit together
- Change in the fit of partial dentures
- Pus surrounding the teeth and gums
- Sharp or dull pain when chewing
- Overly sensitive teeth to hot or cold temperatures
Cause
The bacteria found in plaque causes gum disease. Plaque is a sticky and colorless film which constantly forms on your teeth. When plaque is not removed, it can harden and eventually turn into tartar. Dental plaque will also continue to form on the tartar. A professional cleaning from a dentist is required to remove the plaque as regular brushing and flossing will not remove it.
Diagnosis
If not removed through daily brushing and flossing, plaque turns into tartar. The tartar becomes rough and leads to additional build-up of plaque. The plaque bacteria can also infect your gums and teeth. In extreme cases, the gum tissue and bone that support the teeth can also be impacted. There are three different stages of gum disease as it progresses:
- Gingivitis: This is the first stage of gum disease. This stage includes the inflammation of the gums, which is caused by dental plaque buildup. There may be redness or swelling of the gums or bleeding while brushing and flossing. During the early stage, gum disease can be reversed as the bone and connective tissue which hold the teeth in place are not yet impacted.
- Periodontitis: During the second stage, the bone and fibers which hold the teeth in place are irreversibly damaged. The gums start to form a pocket under the gum line, which encourages penetration and the growth of plaque below the gum line. Professional periodontal therapy and improved personal oral hygiene can typically aid in preventing additional damage to the tissue and bone.
- Advanced Periodontitis: This advanced stage of gum disease destroys the fibers and bone of your teeth. This can result in shifting or loose teeth. This can also affect your bite, eating and talking. If aggressive periodontal therapy is not able to preserve the teeth, they may need to be removed. Your dentist can provide options for teeth that are removed as a result of periodontal disease.
Treatment
Professional cleanings are the only way to effectively remove plaque which has built up and hardened into tartar. Be sure to schedule regular checkups to ensure the early stages of gum disease can be treated prior to progressing into a more serious condition.
When gum disease has progressed to more advanced stages, scaling and root planning can be performed to treat the diseased periodontal pockets and infection in the gums. A dental professional will use an ultrasonic scaling device to remove plaque, tartar and any food debris near the gum line. Hand scales will be used to clean the tooth and root surfaces. Laser treatments can also be used to remove tartar deposits. For periodontal pockets greater than 5 mm deep, moderate to severe periodontitis is present. Gingival flap surgery can be performed by a periodontist to reduce the periodontal pockets, in addition to bone grafting for restoring any lost bone.
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