Self-care
What are non-surgical treatments for gum disease? 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 …
Nutrition
Scaling and root planing —Tartar and bacteria are removed from your teeth and under your gums using instruments, a laser or an ultrasonic device. Antibiotics —Topical antibiotics, such as antibiotic gels or mouth rinses, are used to control bacterial infection. Surgical periodontal disease treatments 6
What is the best natural cure for gum disease?
Gum surgery. Gum surgery is sometimes necessary to treat advanced periodontal disease. Surgical treatments for gum disease include: Pocket reduction procedures—Used to reduce the pocket depth and eliminate existing bacteria to prevent the progression of periodontal disease.; Regenerative procedures—Membranes, bone grafts or tissue-stimulating proteins are used to …
Is there a cure for gum disease?
Gum Disease Treatments: Surgery, Antibiotics, Antimicrobials, and More. Treatments for gum disease vary from medication to surgery. Learn more about the options. Skip to main content.
What kind of dentist treats gum disease?
How to reverse periodontal disease naturally without surgery?
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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.
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.
What is the purpose of scaling and root planing?
Scaling and root planing is done if your dentist or periodontist determines that you have plaque and calculus (hardened plaque, also called tartar) under the gums that needs to be removed.
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 ...
What is grafted tissue?
Grafted tissue, most often taken from the roof of the mouth, is stitched in place, adding tissue to the affected area. Guided tissue regeneration. Performed when the bone supporting your teeth has been destroyed, this procedure stimulates bone and gum tissue growth.
Does toothpaste contain fluoride?
Some nonprescription toothpastes that are marked as antibacterial may contain fluoride and an antibiotic called triclosan to reduce plaque and gingivitis. Lasers. Check the Academy of Laser Dentistry for information.
Overview
Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Specialist to consult
Treatment
- Periodontal (gum) disease is an infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place. It's typically caused by poor brushing and flossing habits that allow plaque—a sticky film of bacteria—to build up on the teeth and harden. In advanced stages, periodontal disease can lead to sore, bleeding gums; painful chewing problems; and even tooth loss.
Helpful Tips
- Our mouths are full of bacteria. These bacteria, along with mucus and other particles, constantly form a sticky, colorless “plaque” on teeth. Brushing and flossing help get rid of plaque. Plaque that is not removed can harden and form “tartar” that brushing doesn’t clean. Only a professional cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist can remove tartar. There are a number of risk factors fo…
Additional Resources
- Symptoms of gum disease include: 1. Bad breath that won’t go away. 2. Red or swollen gums. 3. Tender or bleeding gums. 4. Painful chewing. 5. Loose teeth. 6. Sensitive teeth. 7. Receding gums or longer appearing teeth.