Gingiva, commonly referred to as gums, is the pink flesh that lie over the jaw and surround our teeth hugging them firmly in place.
- Deep Cleaning: Root Planing and Scaling Using manual and ultrasonic instruments, calculus is probed and removed by a dental professional. ...
- Gingival Curettage This is a cleaning technique used in conjunction with scaling and root planning. ...
- Surgery
How to cure gum disease without a dentist?
Nonsurgical periodontal disease treatments 5. 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.
Can gum disease be cured without a dentist?
For the most severe cases of periodontal disease, surgical treatments may be prescribed. The two most common dental surgical procedures to halt severe gum disease are: flap surgery and bone and tissue grafts. Flap surgery is where the dentist will lift back the gums and remove the built-up tartar underneath.
What dentist specializes in the treatment of gums?
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). The medication is available as a mouth rinse or as a gelatin-filled chip that is placed in pockets after root planing.
How your dentist can prevent and 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 …
How does a dentist do gum treatment?
Scaling and Root Planing Scaling: Your dentist or hygienist removes plaque and tartar down to the bottom of each periodontal pocket. Root Planing: Then, the root surfaces of your teeth are smoothed, or “planed”, to allow the gum tissue to heal and reattach to the teeth.
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?
Deep cleaning: The first line of treatment for gum disease is a careful, in-depth cleaning. Unlike a regular cleaning, which is usually only done above the gum line, deep cleaning goes under the gum line. The dentist will also use special instruments, Sahl says. Your dentist can do something called scaling.
Does gum treatment hurt?
Will treatment hurt? You can expect some discomfort from periodontal treatment, but it will probably be much less than you fear. The high fear factor is one of the reasons why people don't see the dentist soon enough when they notice symptoms.
Can gums grow back?
Unfortunately, once gums have receded, they will not grow back on their own. The good news is that there are treatments available that can help cover the exposed tooth root, restore the gum line, enhance your smile, and protect your oral health.Oct 29, 2021
How can I deep clean my gums at home?
Ways to deep clean at home Brushing the teeth two times a day, along with flossing, are the key ways of keeping teeth and gums hale and healthy. You should ensure that your toothbrush is soft and doesn't cause bleeding. Investing in an electric toothbrush is also a viable solution.May 11, 2021
Is gum disease curable?
So how do I cure gum disease? Gum disease can be cured. Essentially, it's all about removing bacteria from your mouth and allowing the gums to heal back to a healthy state. If you want to get rid of gum disease, the first step is to get the right education so that you know how to clean your teeth effectively at home.Jan 20, 2020
Can a regular dentist treat gum disease?
While a general dentist can treat gum disease with cleanings, and scaling and root planing, a periodontist can treat advanced periodontal disease cases that a general dentist cannot.Aug 4, 2020
Can gums heal?
Since gums are organic tissue, they have the ability to heal. However, gum recession is no easy thing to stop. It's crucial to keep up with your dental hygiene routine as you try these natural remedies. Brush and floss twice a day to keep gum recession and other dental health problems away.Jul 27, 2021
Is dental laser surgery painful?
Laser dentistry is a fast and effective method that uses heat and light to perform a wide variety of dental procedures. Most importantly, laser dentistry is virtually pain-free! A laser dental treatment works by honing an intense beam of light energy to perform precise dental procedures.
Why do dentists laser gums?
Laser gum surgery is used for dental procedures, such as treating gum disease. It's also used to contour the gums and eliminate gummy smile. Since there's no scalpel or cutting, laser gum surgery eliminates the need for stitches and reduces postoperative bleeding.Jun 23, 2021
How long does periodontal 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.Mar 10, 2018
What is the best treatment for periodontal disease?
For the most severe cases of periodontal disease, surgical treatments may be prescribed. The two most common dental surgical procedures to halt severe gum disease are: flap surgery and bone and tissue grafts. Flap surgery is where the dentist will lift back the gums and remove the built-up tartar underneath.
What is the procedure called when you have gingivitis?
Patients whose gingivitis has progressed into periodontal disease will often need to undergo a dental procedure called deep cleaning (also known as root scaling and planning). In this procedure, the dentist will scrape away the plaque and tartar off the teeth above and below the gum line.
What causes gum disease?
Gum disease is inflammation and decay of the gum tissue and jaw bone caused by the accumulation of plaque and tartar (hardened plaque). Similar to tooth decay, gum disease is caused by inadequate dental hygiene. The same kind of germs and leftover food particles in the mouth settle in “pockets” where the surface of the tooth and the gum line meet.
Where do germs and food particles settle in the mouth?
The same kind of germs and leftover food particles in the mouth settle in “pockets” where the surface of the tooth and the gum line meet. The plaque then accumulates in these areas, usually progressing under the gum line. Gum disease starts off as gingivitis.
Can gum disease be reversed?
Gum disease starts off as gingivitis. This mildest form of gum disease can be quickly halted from progressing and can be easily reversed with improved oral hygiene. If gingivitis isn’t treated, it progresses into periodontal disease.
Can tartar be removed from gum line?
Gum Disease Treatments. The tartar that forms on the teeth by the gum line will only be able to be removed by a dentist. Patients who don’t have extensive tartar build up can reverse the progression of their gingivitis by doing a better job with their at-home brushing and flossing.
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).
What is guided tissue regeneration?
Guided tissue regeneration: Performed when the bone supporting your teeth has been destroyed, this procedure stimulates bone and gum tissue growth. Done in combination with flap surgery, a small piece of mesh-like fabric is inserted between the bone and gum tissue.
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.
What is gum disease?
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.
What is the most common cause of tooth loss?
Periodontal disease is the most common cause of tooth loss among adults. Overall, the prevalence of both moderate and severe periodontal disease in adults and Seniors has decreased from the early 1970s. In spite of this improvement, significant disparities remain in some population groups. Show All Data & Stats.
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.
What is guided tissue regeneration?
Guided tissue regeneration. Performed when the bone supporting your teeth has been destroyed, this procedure stimulates bone and gum tissue growth. Done in combination with flap surgery, a small piece of mesh-like fabric is inserted between the bone and gum tissue.
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.
Why do periodontists make incisions in gums?
Your periodontist makes tiny incisions in your gum so that a section of gum tissue can be lifted back, exposing the roots for more effective scaling and root planing. Because periodontitis often causes bone loss, the underlying bone may be recontoured before the gum tissue is sutured back in place.
What is the goal of periodontitis treatment?
The goal of periodontitis treatment is to thoroughly clean the pockets around teeth and prevent damage to surrounding bone. You have the best chance for successful treatment when you also adopt a daily routine of good oral care, manage health conditions that may impact dental health and stop tobacco use.
How to tell if you have periodontitis?
To determine whether you have periodontitis and how severe it is, your dentist may: Review your medical history to identify any factors that could be contributing to your symptoms, such as smoking or taking certain medications that cause dry mouth. Examine your mouth to look for plaque and tartar buildup and check for easy bleeding.
What happens when you lose gum tissue?
When you lose gum tissue, your gumline recedes. You may need to have some of the damaged soft tissue reinforced. This is usually done by removing a small amount of tissue from the roof of your mouth (palate) or using tissue from another donor source and attaching it to the affected site.
What is the procedure to cover exposed roots?
This can help reduce further gum recession, cover exposed roots and give your teeth a more pleasing appearance. Bone grafting. This procedure is performed when periodontitis has destroyed the bone surrounding your tooth root.
How to get rid of plaque between teeth?
Use a mouth rinse to help reduce plaque between your teeth, if recommended by your dentist. Supplement brushing and flossing with an interdental cleaner, such as a dental pick, interdental brush or dental stick specially designed to clean between your teeth.
How does bone graft help?
The bone graft helps prevent tooth loss by holding your tooth in place. It also serves as a platform for the regrowth of natural bone. Guided tissue regeneration. This allows the regrowth of bone that was destroyed by bacteria.
Overview
Causes
- 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…
Symptoms
- 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.
Diagnosis
- At a dental visit, a dentist or dental hygienist will: 1. Examine your gums and note any signs of inflammation. 2. Use a tiny ruler called a “probe” to check for and measure any pockets around the teeth. In a healthy mouth, the depth of these pockets is usually between 1 and 3 millimeters. This test for pocket depth is usually painless. 3. Ask about your medical history to identify condition…
Treatment
- The main goal of treatment is to control the infection. The number and types of treatment will vary, depending on the extent of the gum disease. Any type of treatment requires that the patient keep up good daily care at home. The dentist may also suggest changing certain behaviors, such as quitting smoking, as a way to improve your treatment result...
Helpful Tips
- You can keep your gums and teeth healthy by: 1. Brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. 2. Flossing regularly to remove plaque from between teeth. Or, you can use a device such as a special brush, wooden or plastic pick, or a “water flosser” recommended by a dental professional. 3. Visiting the dentist routinely for a check-up and professional cleaning. 4. Quittin…
Additional Resources
- Periodontal Disease(link is external) Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about the causes of periodontal disease, its warning signs, risk factors, and prevention and t...
- MedlinePlus: Gum Disease The NIH National Library of Medicine's collection of links to government, professional, and non-profit/voluntary organizations with information on periodo…
- Periodontal Disease(link is external) Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about the causes of periodontal disease, its warning signs, risk factors, and prevention and t...
- MedlinePlus: Gum Disease The NIH National Library of Medicine's collection of links to government, professional, and non-profit/voluntary organizations with information on periodontal disease and g...
