Treatment FAQ

what is a gum treatment at the dentist

by Wendy Kilback Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Gum Disease Treatments
In this procedure, the dentist will scrape away the plaque and tartar off the teeth above and below the gum line. The root of the teeth will also be cleaned of plaque and tartar build-up. You'll then get a clean slate.

Full Answer

What dentist specializes in the treatment of gums?

  • Oral pathologists specialize in injuries in the head and neck. They identify, manage, and sometimes treat these diseases. ...
  • Oral radiologists interpret dental X-rays to diagnose specific head and neck conditions. Think of them as similar to medical radiologists. ...
  • Oral surgeons are tooth extraction specialists. ...

How to cure gum disease without a dentist?

Try these measures to reduce or prevent periodontitis:

  • Brush your teeth twice a day or, better yet, after every meal or snack.
  • Use a soft toothbrush and replace it at least every three months.
  • Consider using an electric toothbrush, which may be more effective at removing plaque and tartar.
  • Floss daily.
  • Use a mouth rinse to help reduce plaque between your teeth, if recommended by your dentist.

More items...

Can gum disease be cured without a dentist?

With Aloe Vera, you can cure your gum disease without a dentist. In fact, some dentists use Aloe Vera. They know how powerful it is for teeth and gums. Green tea has been a popular beverage in the Asian culture dating back to 4,000 years ago. In ancient China and Japanese, it is thought to be used to cure disease and heal wounds.

How can a dentist treat your gum disease?

Treatment - Gum disease

  • Oral hygiene. See the teeth cleaning guide for more information and advice about how to keep your teeth clean. ...
  • Dental treatments. Some of the dental treatments described here may also be recommended if you have gum disease. ...
  • Acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis. ...
  • Stopping smoking. ...

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Does gum treatment hurt?

The actual gum grafting procedure is painless. This is because a local anesthetic is used to numb the affected area. A periodontist, who is a dental specialist in gum disease and the gums, typically performs this procedure. You may instead feel some movement or pressure as your periodontist performs the procedure.

How long does a gum treatment take?

Most gum surgery procedures take around 2 hours to complete. In some cases, the surgery will require a person to be asleep or partially asleep during the procedure. Other times, the surgery only involves the use of a local anesthetic to numb the gums. The injection of the numbing medication can be mildly uncomfortable.

Is gum treatment necessary?

If untreated, gum disease could lead to bone and tooth loss. If gum disease is caught early and hasn't damaged the structures below the gum line, a professional cleaning should do. If the pockets between your gums and teeth are too deep, however, scaling and root planing may be needed.

What is best treatment for gums?

Other antibiotics, including doxycycline, tetracycline, and minocycline (Arestin) may also be used to treat gum disease, as determined by your dentist. Toothpaste. Some nonprescription toothpastes that are marked as antibacterial may contain fluoride and an antibiotic called triclosan to reduce plaque and gingivitis.

Does it hurt to get your gums lasered?

Does laser gum surgery hurt? Laser gum therapy is almost always nearly pain-free. Typically, we use local anesthetic to keep you comfortable during the procedure.

Do you get put to sleep for gum graft?

Normally we use local anesthesia for gum grafting, because our dentist must collect the tissue from the roof of your mouth before stitching it into place over the exposed dental root. You don't need to be fully sedated, and can even drive yourself home after the appointment.

What happens during gum therapy?

This procedure involves eliminating plaque and tartar from the teeth and pockets below the gumline. The hygienist will perform the deep cleaning using manual scaling tools and/or electric or ultrasonic instruments.

Is deep gum cleaning painful?

Is deep cleaning painful? Teeth scaling and root planing can cause some discomfort, so you'll receive a topical or local anesthetic to numb your gums. You can expect some sensitivity after your treatment. Your gums might swell, and you might have minor bleeding, too.

Is it painful to get a deep cleaning at the dentist?

Does a deep cleaning hurt? Since deep cleanings are more thorough, and go further below the gumline than regular cleanings, they can potentially cause some discomfort or pain. To ensure your comfort during your deep cleaning, your dentist will numb the treatment site before beginning.

Can you repair receding gums?

The simple answer is, no. If your gums are damaged by, for example periodontitis, the most severe form of gum disease, it's not possible for receding gums to grow back. However, even though receding gums can't be reversed there are treatments that can help to stop the problem from getting worse.

What does a infected gum look like?

Bright red, swollen gums that bleed very easily, even during brushing or flossing. Bad taste or persistent mouth odor. White spots or plaques on the gums. Gums that look like they're pulling away from the teeth.

How much does periodontal treatment cost?

During this procedure, your dentist will clean the pocket carefully, removing tartar deposits after lifting up the gums to clean underneath them. The gums will then be sutured to fit more tightly around the tooth. This procedure typically costs between $1000 and $3000 without insurance.

How to treat gum disease?

Some treatments for gum disease are surgical. Some examples are: Flap surgery/pocket reduction surgery. During this procedure the gums are lifted back and the tartar is removed. In some cases, irregular surfaces of the damaged bone are smoothed to limit areas where disease-causing bacteria can hide.

What is the procedure to fill gums?

Soft tissue grafts. This procedure reinforces thin gums or fills in places where gums have receded. Grafted tissue, most often taken from the roof of the mouth, is stitched in place, adding tissue to the affected area. Guided tissue regeneration.

What is bone graft?

Bone grafts. This procedure involves using fragments of your own bone, synthetic bone, or donated bone to replace bone destroyed by gum disease. The grafts serve as a platform for the regrowth of bone, which restores stability to teeth. New technology, called tissue engineering, encourages your own body to regenerate bone ...

Why are gums placed around teeth?

The gums are then placed so that the tissue fits snugly around the tooth. This method reduces the size of the space between the gum and tooth, thereby decreasing the areas where harmful bacteria can grow and decreasing the chance of serious health problems associated with periodontal disease. Bone grafts.

How long does it take for a tooth to heal from root planing?

The medication is available as a mouth rinse or as a gelatin-filled chip that is placed in pockets after root planing and releases the medication slowly over about 7 days. Other antibiotics, including doxycycline, tetracycline, and minocycline (Arestin) may also be used to treat gum disease, as determined by your dentist.

Why is the bone around the tooth reshaped after flap surgery?

Smoothes shallow craters in the bone due to moderate and advanced bone loss. Following flap surgery, the bone around the tooth is reshaped to decrease the craters. This makes it harder for bacteria to collect and grow.

Can a periodontist perform a dental procedure?

Your dentist or periodontist is able to perform most procedures in their office. The time needed to perform the procedure, your degree of discomfort, and time needed to heal will vary from patient to patient depending on the type and extent of the procedure and your overall health.

How is gum disease treated?

Gum (periodontal) diseases are treated in a variety of ways depending on the stage of disease, how you may have responded to earlier treatments, and your overall health. After a thorough periodontal evaluation, recommendations for treatment range from non-surgical therapies to surgical procedures.

How to treat gum disease?

What are non-surgical treatments for gum disease? 1 Professional dental cleaning: During a typical checkup, your dentist or dental hygienist removes plaque and tartar that build up and harden on the tooth surface. (Plaque is the ‘film' that covers teeth, which can lead to cavities and gum disease. Tartar is the hard, yellowish deep deposit on teeth,) When plaque and tartar reach this level of build up, they can only be removed with professional cleaning. Cleaning removes plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line of all your teeth. If you have some signs of gum disease, your dentist may recommend professional dental cleaning more than twice a year. 2 Scaling and root planing: This is a deep-cleaning, non-surgical procedure that is done under local anesthesia. Hardened plaque and tartar (also called calculus) are scraped away (scaling) from above and below the gum line. Also, any rough spots on the tooth root are made smooth (planing). Smoothing the rough spots removes bacteria and provides a clean surface for the gums to reattach to the teeth. 3 Customized: Sometimes control of plaque and inflammation of gum tissue can be done without surgery. Antibiotics, with products like minocycline HCl (Arrestin®) or chlorhexidine (PerioChip®), can be placed in the mouth in the space between the gums and teeth (the periodontal pocket).

Why are the gums placed around the tooth?

The gums are then placed so that the tissue fits snugly around the tooth. Reducing the space between the gum and tooth also limits the areas where harmful bacteria can grow.

What is the name of the antibiotic that is used to treat gingivitis?

Chlorhexidine (Peridex®, PerioChip®, PerioGard® and other over-the-counter trade names) is an antibiotic used to control plaque and gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) in the mouth or in periodontal pockets (the space between the gums and teeth).

Can a dentist perform a periodontal procedure?

Your dentist or periodontist can perform most procedures in the office. The time needed to perform the procedures, your degree of discomfort, and time needed to heal vary from patient to patient. Other factors are the type and extent of the procedure and your overall health.

Can you smooth out a rough spot on your gums?

Smoothing the rough spots removes bacteria and provides a clean surface for the gums to reattach to the teeth. Customized: Sometimes control of plaque and inflammation of gum tissue can be done without surgery.

How to get rid of gums that are receding?

Brushing your teeth too hard may also cause your gums to recede. Here are some tips for brushing your teeth: Use a soft to othbrush instead of one with hard bristles. Be gentle as you brush. Let the bristles do the work, not your arm muscles. Brush at least twice per day, and for at least two minutes at a time.

How to prevent receding gums?

A healthy lifestyle will also help prevent receding gums. This means eating a balanced diet and quitting smoking and smokeless tobacco. Try to see your dentist twice per year, even if you take great care of your teeth and gums.

Why do my teeth pull back?

If you’ve noticed that your teeth look a little longer or your gums seem to be pulling back from your teeth, you have receding gums. This can have several causes. The most serious cause is periodontal disease, also known as gum disease. While there’s no cure for periodontal disease, you can and should manage it.

What happens when your gums are receding?

In addition to less gum tissue around the teeth, receding gums often result in: bad breath. swollen and red gums. a bad taste in your mouth. loose teeth. You may notice that your bite is different. You may also notice some pain or that your gums are especially tender.

How do you know if your gums are pulling away?

If you look closely at all of your teeth, you may also notice the gum pulling away from the root of one or more teeth. Gum recession tends to happen gradually. You may not notice a difference in your gums from one day to the next.

How to stop gum recession?

To slow or stop the progression of gum recession, you’ll have to take charge of your oral health. See your dentist twice per year if possible. Follow your dentist’s instructions about proper oral hygiene. If your gum recession is serious, you may want to consult with a periodontist. This is a specialist in gum disease.

What causes a recession in the gums?

Other causes of gum recession. Additional causes of gum recession include the following: Sports injury or other trauma to the mouth. For example, body piercing studs of the lip or tongue can rub against the gum tissue, causing recession. Smoking.

How to get rid of bacteria in teeth?

Your dentist will carefully detail the oral hygiene practices you need to follow, including brushing your teeth properly and flossing daily. Clean your teeth carefully, making sure not to miss any of the hard-to-reach spots, and use mouthwash to help kill off any leftover bacteria.

What is periodontal disease?

Periodontal diseases are infections in the structures around the teeth, but not in the actual teeth themselves. These structures include the: It can progress from gingivitis, which is the first stage of periodontal disease and only affects the gums, to the other structures. Periodontal diseases are caused most often by a combination ...

How much does it cost to remove tartar from a tooth?

The gums will then be sutured to fit more tightly around the tooth. This procedure typically costs between $1000 and $3000 without insurance.

How much does a bone graft cost?

It will be placed to cover exposed tooth roots. A single procedure for bone or tissue grafts can cost around $600 to $1200. During aftercare, don’t use straws.

What is flap surgery?

This will make the area easier to clean and prevent infections from developing in the future. This may be called “flap surgery.”

What is scaling in dental?

Procedures called “scaling” and “root planing” will also happen during this stage, where the dentist will clean your teeth deeply and remove plaque and calculus. Medications may also be prescribed.

Can periodontal disease cause tooth extraction?

Periodontal disease can increase your risk for conditions like stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory diseases. Untreated, it can also result in tooth extraction. It’s exceptionally important to treat it. If you start early, it can even save you from needing more invasive treatments in the long run.

Why is it important to check gums for periodontal pockets?

Gum probing for periodontal pockets is an important part of preventative care. Diseased gums tend to swell, bleed, and recede, forming gum pockets or periodontal pockets. Unchecked, these gum pockets can deepen with time, allowing plaque and bacteria to collect.

How to reduce gum pocket depth?

If gum probing numbers reveal gum disease, your dentist may prescribe treatment to reduce your gum pocket depth. Practicing better oral hygiene at home may also help reduce your gum check numbers and improve your gum health.

How to check for gum pockets?

During an exam, your dentist or hygienist will check for gum pockets by gently inserting the narrow end of a small tool called a periodontal probe into the space between your tooth and gum. While the probe may look sharp, it’s only a tiny ruler with a dull end. The gum probing process works like this: Insert the periodontal probe into the pocket.

How to check if your gums are a snug fit?

To check whether your gums are a snug fit, your dentist or dental hygienist performs a gum check to probe the spaces between your gums and teeth. Many factors go into understanding your overall gum health, but shallow gum pockets are typically healthier than deep gum pockets.

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