A gum disease or periodontitis is not to be taken for granted. It is a serious mouth infection caused by thick bacteria clasping to one’s teeth and gums; hence, a dire need to take action against it is necessary once a symptom of the disease is indicated.
Getting rid of periodontitis starts with figuring out what stage of the disease is currently present on your condition. If your gums don’t appear “healthy pink” in color, or you are experiencing soreness, it may be an indication of an early stage. If your gums are puffy and bloated, or you experience bleeding when brushing, you might already be looking at a moderate stage, which is also known as gingivitis. If left untreated, it is likely you’ll experience severe gum and bone damage which usually occurs when you are in an advanced-stage periodontitis. This will eventually lead to irreversible damage to your teeth where they can instantly fall from the gums.
At any stage, you will need to commit yourself to a new routine to remedy the problem, incorporating proper brushing and flossing, as well as regular visits to your dentist. Here are 4 ways to combat gum disease:
1. TIME TO GIVE YOUR ROUTINE AN UPGRADEGum Disease primarily emerges when you’ve slackened on your daily oral care. When the disease is at its early stage, the solution can be quite simple; upgrading your routine can do the trick. Brushing your teeth after meals and flossing twice a day can halt gingivitis along its tracks. Supplementing your daily care with regular visits to a dental clinic every 6 months is essential to make sure your teeth and gums are tartar-free. When bacterial plaque develops into tartar, only your dentist or oral hygienist can wash away this build-up. An early stage of this disease is preventable if you take action swiftly.
2. GO FOR AN ALL-OUT WARIf clinging to your upgraded daily oral care isn’t taking effect to reverse your gum disease symptoms, you’ve likely attained an advanced form of infection wherein deep and inaccessible bacterial “pockets” have loomed around the base of your teeth. Only your dentist or periodontist can perform an extensive procedure such as Deep Cleaning or Root Planing in order to stop the infection and successfully reverse the symptoms.
3. INCLUDE MEDICATED REINFORCEMENTS IN YOUR PACKDepending on the gravity of the infection associated with your gum disease, or problems continue to persist; your dentist may prescribe you with antibiotics to completely eradicate the microorganisms supporting the infection inside your mouth. This typically ranges from oral topical gels that are to be applied to the pockets or gaps between your gums and teeth, and antibiotic mouthwash to simply gargle with. It may also be possible for your dentist to prescribe over-the-counter pain and anti-inflammatory medications for any pain or discomfort associated with your gum disease.
4. WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH, LEAVE IT TO THE EXPERTSIf your symptoms already indicate advanced periodontal disease, you’ll have to leave the treatment to professional hands. Your dentist may perform one (or a combination) of several surgical procedures to eradicate deep pockets and inflammation.
Gum Surgery options for Gum Disease Treatment:
Flap Surgery – Your gums are lifted away from your teeth to gain access to the tartar beneath and totally remove the build-up. Once its thoroughly cleaned, your gums are sutured back in proper place surrounding your teeth.
Soft-Tissue Grafts – This procedure mainly involves replacing worn-away gum tissues to cover the exposed tooth roots caused by the gum disease.
Bone Grafts – This procedure particularly involves restoring lost bone with grafts either from human, animals, or bio-compatible synthetic materials.
Bone-Tissue Regeneration – This procedure will help grow back or regenerate lost bone caused by the disease.
These surgical procedures are quite as complicated as they sound, so it is best to avoid having to undergo any of them as much as possible. The best procedure is no procedure at all, which is suffice to say that nothing is more important than being aware of your oral health condition to prevent any form of periodontal or gum disease.