Periodontal Treatment – Three Possible Ways to Save Your Teeth
Periodontal disease is a chronic gum disease that affects the gums and bone around it. It can be caused by poor oral hygiene, smoking, and other factors.
Periodontal disease can cause pain when eating or talking, gums that bleed easily, bad breath, and receding gums with loose teeth. There is different periodontal treatment in Philadelphia including antibiotics, scaling, and gum surgery.
If you notice any of these symptoms in your mouth, it’s time to visit your dentist or oral hygienist for treatment. They will examine your mouth and offer advice on how to treat it at home.
What is Periodontal Disease, and How Does It Affect the Mouth?
Periodontal disease is a common condition that affects the gum and tooth tissues. It most often begins when plaque, bacteria, and food debris accumulate on the teeth.
The causes of periodontal disease can vary from person to person. It could be genetic, environmental factors, or even age-related problems. The symptoms of periodontal disease can include swelling of the gums around teeth, bleeding when brushing or flossing teeth, sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks, loose teeth or tooth loss, bad breath that doesn’t improve after brushing, and flossing regularly.
The stages of periodontal disease vary depending on the severity of the condition. It starts as inflammation at the gum line or plaque accumulation that can lead to gingivitis. If left untreated, periodontal disease will progress into a more serious form (periodontitis), which causes gum recession and tooth loss. The early stages of gum disease (Gingivitis) are reversible if treatment is started early. It is crucial to get periodontal treatment near you immediately you notice gum bleeding or swelling.
Periodontal disease may lead to a variety of dental problems. The disease affects areas surrounding the roots of your teeth. Gum infection can also cause loss of gum tissue and bone support.
What are the Treatment Options?
Several periodontal treatments are available that can get rid of the infection. The treatments vary depending on the stage of the gum disease.
- Non-surgical treatments
Antibiotics are often considered the best treatment for periodontal disease because they help to eliminate the disease-causing bacteria. The dentist may give you the medication in form of oral pills, gels, or creams.
Scaling and root planing are two complementary minimally invasive procedures. These procedures help remove deposits on the tooth surface that contribute to periodontal disease. They are usually used in the early stages of gum disease. However, if the infection has advanced, the dentist may opt for more advanced treatment.
- Regenerative procedures
Tissue regeneration is a process in which the body replaces lost or damaged cells. The dentist will use guided tissue regeneration to replace injured or damaged tissues with new, healthy ones. A biocompatible material is placed between the existing bone and tooth.
The dentist may also use a soft tissue graft that involves taking a small amount of tissue matter from the palate and fix on the affected area.
Bone grafting is also another common procedure done to reverse the damage caused by gum disease.
Bone grafting is done by replacing bone tissue that has been lost with healthy bone or bone graft material.
- Pocket reduction
Pocket reduction is often done through flap surgery. Flap surgery is a procedure that is used to maintain the gums and remove pockets of gum disease. The procedure involves removing part of the gum tissue and then closing it back up with a flap that will act as a barrier against bacteria.
How to Prevent Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease may lead to the destruction of gums, tooth roots, and bone around the teeth if it goes untreated. Fortunately, it can be prevented. Here are a few suggestions that may help you prevent this condition:
- Brush your teeth at least twice daily with an electric or manual toothbrush, flossing at least once every day by using a soft-bristle or gum-cleaning string flosser as needed.
- Rinse your mouth with water to remove plaque and food debris
- Avoid eating sugary foods that feed the disease-causing bacteria
- Get fluoride treatments regularly or as advised by the dentist to strengthen the teeth.
- Visit the dentist for professional dental cleanings
Schedule an Appointment
Gum disease is reversible if detected and treatment started early. Visit The Dental Spa for more information about periodontal disease and steps you can take to prevent it.