Dental Gum Therapy
Gum Disease (periodontal disease) and Dental Gum Therapy
Gum disease hides in your mouth, destroying gum tissue and teeth. It can lead to strokes, heart attacks, and pregnancy complications. You might think it’s not your problem. However conservative estimates report that up to 80 percent of the population unknowingly has gum disease in some form and is in need of dental gum therapy.
What Are the Signs of Gum Disease?
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss your teeth
- Red, swollen or tender gums
- Pus between your teeth when you press your gums with your finger
- Pain when chewing
- Calcium or tartar buildup
- Teeth that change position
- Change in your bite
- Change in the way your partial dentures fit
- Bad breath or a chronic bad taste in your mouth
- Teeth that are overly sensitive to hot and cold
Diagnosis
A thorough oral examination, including x-rays, is crucial to diagnosing periodontal disease. In most cases, Dr. Eberlein at Mid Cities Dental recommends an in-office exam and tooth cleaning for all adults twice a year. At that time, we may use a special instrument called a periodontal probe to measure the depth of the pocket between the tooth and gum tissue. The pocket depth measurement, clinical examination and x-rays help us determine the precise location, extent and severity of the bone loss.
Dental Gum Therapy and the Treatment of Gum Disease
The type of dental gum therapy you may require depends on how advanced your particular case is.
Treatment for gum disease may include the following:
- More frequent cleanings. It may take bacteria at the base of the pocket up to three months to colonize in numbers able to destroy bone. Frequent cleaning can prevent this buildup.
- Scaling – This type of treatment is removing the calcium deposits from your teeth.
- Root Planing – this type of treatment is smoothing the root surfaces so that the gum tissue can reattach to the tooth. Advanced stages will be referred to a Periodontis (gum specialist).
- Antibiotics – This type of treatment can include topical or oral antibiotics. Antibiotics can help control bacterial infections. Topical antibiotics can include antibiotic gels and mouth rinses. Occasionally oral antibiotics may be needed to get rid of bacteria that caused the infections.
If you have advanced periodontitis, you may need dental surgery, which could include soft tissue grafts, bone grafts, flap surgery, guided tissue regeneration, and tissue-stimulating proteins.
What can you do at home to prevent gum disease?
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day, preferably after snacks and meals
- Floss at least once a day. If you have a hard time using standard dental floss, try a floss holder. Other options include water flossers which can aid in cleaning between your teeth.
- Brush with a soft toothbrush. Make sure to replace the toothbrush or toothbrush head at least every three months.
- Try an electric toothbrush. It may be easier to use and better at removing plaque and tartar.
- Use a mouth rinse to help reduce plaque between your teeth, if recommended by your dentist.
- See your dentist and hygienist for dental cleanings twice a year or more as needed.
- Don’t smoke or chew tobacco.
Dr. Eberlein shares how you can prevent gum disease.
Dental Services We Offer
DENTAL EMERGENCY SERVICES
Alleviate the pain and address the problem!
RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY
Giving you the smile you lost!
PREVENTATIVE DENTISTRY
Fixing your smile in advance!
COSMETIC DENTISTRY
Improving the smile you have!
- Gum that bleed when you brush or floss your teeth
- Red, swollen or tender gums
- Pus between your teeth when you press your gums with your finger
- Pain when chewing
- Calcium or tartar buildup
- Teeth that change position
- Change in your bite
- Change in the way your partial dentures fit
- Bad breath or a chronic bad taste in your mouth
- Teeth that are overly sensitive to hot and cold
