Welcome to the third installment of our four-part article series on gum disease. In our previous post, a Stamford dental implants specialist related some of the rather surprising U.S. statistics of gum disease before explaining what signs and symptoms patients should look out for. It was also emphasized that gum disease, especially in its beginning stages, doesn’t typically present with pain. Since discomfort is frequently what compels patients to seek medical attention, it’s important for us all to be on the lookout for the other symptoms of this terrible oral ailment.
In this article, the third of the series, we shall explore the various treatment options there are for patients who have been diagnosed with gum disease.
Gum Disease Treatment “The treatment option recommended to you by your dentist or periodontist will depend on what stage of gum disease you present with,” explains a Stamford dental implants specialist. “However, the goal remains the same across the board… to eliminate infection and prevent the disease from causing any further damage.”
There are three over-arching approaches to treating gum disease and your healthcare professional might make use of all or a combination of them in the battle against infection:
1.Scaling and Root Planing: This treatment option is typically recommended to patients who present with less severe cases of gum disease. “Scaling and root planing involves the deep cleaning of the tooth roots beneath the gums and the removal of calculus (plaque and tartar) from the gum line and beneath it,” explains a new teeth specialist. “Once this has been done – usually over the course of two or three appointments – a patient can maintain good oral health by regular and thorough brushing and flossing.”
2.A Course of Medication: Gum disease can also be combated through a course of antimicrobial or antibiotic medications. These medications, which can be taken as mouthwashes, pills or administered directly to the infected areas within the gums, have been shown to shrink gum pockets that house disease-causing oral bacteria. Medications are frequently used in conjunction with other gum disease treatment methods.
3.Surgery: If none of a dentist’s efforts are sufficient to eliminate infection and restore the gums to good health, then you may be facing the need for surgical intervention. “Surgery is typically necessary for the treatment of patients who present with advanced periodontitis,” says a Stamford dental implants specialist. “These same patients have more than likely also already suffered tooth loss and so will be in need of new teeth.”
Surgery for the treatment of gum disease generally involves the lifting of the gum tissue from the roots of the teeth so that the teeth can be thoroughly cleaned. This tissue is then sutured back in place. If a patient’s gums have receded and they have lost bone volume as a result of the disease, their surgery may also include bone and gum grafting to repair the damage.
The Importance of Treating Gum Disease “Gum disease is a very important concern because it is the number one reason patients lose most if not all of their natural teeth,” explains a new teeth specialist in Stamford. “This ailment is also linked with a great variety of other health issues, some of which can be fatal. Cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease, osteoporosis, Rheumatoid arthritis and liver and kidney disease are just to name a few. Gum disease has systemic effects, so not looking after your oral health and not seeking treatment for gum problems can put your health in serious danger!”
Stay Tuned for Part 4 To read more about gum disease and the various impacts it can have upon one’s general health, stay tuned for the final installment of this four-part article series.
