Gum disease is a very common yet ignored form of health problem. Most people don’t pay much attention to their gums because it’s an inconspicuous part of the body. Who checks their gums in the mirror every day, right? However, if left untreated, gum disease may require extensive treatment and maintenance.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
One major reason why people don’t get the right treatment for gum disease is because it doesn’t show symptoms. Some patients don’t know that they have gum disease until one of their teeth start shaking and falling out. Others may notice some symptoms but they might be mild or inconsistent. Patients becomes lax in seeking medical treatment because they think it’s just a coincidence or something that will go away on its own.
If you aspire to be a more informed patient, you should look for the following signs of gum disease:
redness, tenderness, and swelling of the gums
pain in and around the tooth
sensitive gums that easily bleed (i.e. after flossing)
receding gums or teeth that look longer than before
shaking or loosening teeth
Having even one of these symptoms can signify that you have some form of periodontal disease. In such case, you need to visit your dentist immediately and get treatment for your gum problem.
Non-Surgical Treatments
For mild cases of periodontal disease, also known as gingivitis, dentist will recommend one of the following treatments:
1)Dental Cleaning. Regular dental cleaning in addition to proper dental hygiene can be enough to resolve the mildest cases of gingivitis. However, if you have a slightly moderate case, your dentist may ask you to get more than two dental treatments per year. Dental cleaning helps in keeping bacteria and plaque from accumulating around the gum line. This is also the best preventive measure if you don’t want to end up toothless.
2)Scaling and Root Planing. This is a two-part procedure that involves deep cleaning and disinfection of the gums. First, the dentist or dental hygienist will perform scaling. This involves the thorough and complete removal of plaque and tartar around and in the gum lining. The tool used is very small and it can get into the gum lining to clean out the areas with possible bacteria. The second procedure is root planing which requires the cleaning and polishing of the tooth root. Since bacteria have dwelled deep into the gums, they may have settled on the tooth root and they need to be eliminated. The surface of the tooth root will be cleaned and all signs of bacteria will be removed. Afterwards, the tooth root will be polished so that bacteria will not be able to stick to it easily next time.
Surgical Treatments
If deep cleaning still doesn’t work and your gum disease persists, your dentist will recommend one (or two) of the following surgical procedures:
1)Flap Surgery. The gums will be pulled away from the teeth and flipped upside down. This will expose all of the areas underneath the gums where bacteria have thrived. These infected areas will all be cleaned out and disinfected using antibacterial solutions. Afterwards, the gums will be fixed back into place.
2)Tissue Grafting. To replace parts of the gum tissue which are already severely damaged by infection, tissue grafting can be performed. A small piece of healthy tissue from another part of the body will be taken and attached to the damaged gum tissue. This attachment will restore the original size and mass of the gums and improve its health.
3)Bone Grafting. This is a similar process to tissue grafting but involves bone replacement. The specimen used for the graft may be donated, synthetic, or possibly taken from fragments of the patient’s own bone. This is done if the gum disease is so severe that it has reached deep into the alveolar bone. The graft will be used to stabilize the alveolar bone so that it can hold the gums and teeth again.
4)Tissue Regeneration. If the gums and bone have been damaged to the point of irreparability, tissue regeneration can be performed. This is a more complex procedure that involves regrowth of alveolar bone and gum tissue. To prevent the bone from growing in the space for the gums, a mesh material is used to separate them.
5)Bone Surgery. After flap surgery, this is done to clean out infected areas and smooth out the bone so that bacteria will not be able to stick to it easily.
How to Prevent Gum Disease
As cliche as it may sound, the best way to prevent gum disease is by maintaining healthy oral hygiene. Brushing regularly, flossing, rinsing with antibacterial mouthwash, and regularly visiting a dental professional are the keys to achieving healthy gums. Starting early is also a valuable investment for long-term dental health.
Bring your children to a dentist in Dallas TX regularly so that their baby teeth will stay healthy and intact until their permanent teeth erupt. Gum disease in children can continue well into adulthood, compromising dental health even before permanent teeth set in. Don’t ignore your family’s dental healthcare needs. Proper patient education and professional care will bring priceless benefits to you and your children’s dental health.