Choosing the Right Treatment for Gum Issues

Your specific illness and its seriousness determine the best way to treat gum problems. Your dentist and dental hygienist will check your gum health and suggest the most effective treatment.

Understanding Periodontal Disease

When bacteria, plaque, and tartar gather in the pocket between your tooth and gums, they irritate the nearby tissues and worsen gum issues. If these irritants stay in the pocket, they can hurt your gums and even the bone holding your teeth.

Early Stages: Routine Cleanings

If gum problems are caught early, with minor harm, one to two regular cleanings might be recommended. You'll also get advice on better daily oral care and planning regular dental cleanings.

Advanced Stages: Deep Cleaning

For more advanced disease stages, a specialized cleaning called scaling and root planing is suggested. It's often done one part of your mouth at a time while the area is numb.

This process involves removing tartar, plaque, and harmful substances from above and below the gum line. Rough areas on root surfaces are also smoothed. This helps heal gum tissue and reduces pocket size. Medications, especially medicated mouth rinses, and an electric toothbrush might be suggested to aid healing and prevent infection.

When Surgery Might Be Needed

If pockets don't heal after deep cleaning, periodontal surgery might be needed to reduce pocket depth and make teeth easier to clean. Your dentist might also recommend seeing a periodontist, a specialist in gum and bone health.