Have you noticed swollen or bleeding gums? They are all early signs of gum disease, a condition that is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults. Without treatment, gum disease will continue to progress, not only negatively impacting your oral health, but also increasing the risk of other health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and strokes.
Gum disease is an infection of the gum tissue that holds your teeth in place. Most commonly caused by inadequate oral hygiene, gum disease occurs when plaque buildups on the teeth and hardens. In its first stage, known as gingivitis, the gums are typically irritated, but the teeth are still secure in the sockets and no irreversible bone or tissue damage has occurred. Symptoms may include bleeding or swollen gums and halitosis (chronic bad breath). When gingivitis is not addressed, it will advance to periodontitis, which is a severe infection of the gum tissue.
Individuals with periodontitis will notice gum tissue pulling away from the teeth and forming pockets, as well as loose or shifting teeth.
Treatment for gum disease
In all cases of gum disease, it’s important to dramatically improve oral hygiene at home in order to eliminate harmful bacteria and prevent plaque buildup. Other treatments may include:
Scaling and root planing – This professional deep cleaning targets the periodontal pockets to remove plaque, bacteria and other toxins and then smooths out the rough areas on the root surface to prevent future accumulation under the gum line.
Medications – Topical or oral antibiotics may be recommended to address the infection.
Periodontal surgery – Can be used to strengthen damaged bone and gum tissue and reducing periodontal pockets.
Dental restorations – If you have experienced tooth decay, gum recession, or missing teeth as a result of gum disease, further dental restorations may be necessary once the gum disease has been addressed.
The most important thing you can do for your gum health is to practice good oral hygiene techniques including brushing twice daily and flossing every day. It’s also important to maintain routine dental visits so any signs of gum disease can be caught early.
Who’s a good candidate?
People with severe or advanced disease around their gums and the tissues that support their teeth are usually candidates for periodontal surgery.
If you have gum disease, your symptoms might include:
gums that are swollen, red, or bleeding
deep pockets that form between your gums and teeth
loose teeth
pain when chewing
bad breath
We will let you know if you could benefit from periodontal surgery. Our dentist might recommend more conservative treatment approaches if your gum disease isn’t advanced.
Talk to our expert dentists based in South Delhi, India to see if this procedure could be beneficial. Consult now!