Your Guide to Gum Disease Treatment Options

Your smile is a big part of who you are, so it can be confronting when you can’t show it off because of infection. Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, can be excruciating if not addressed appropriately and can damage the health of your smile. 

At The Point Dental, we understand that addressing gum disease symptoms can be daunting, and we’re here to help you get your smile back. In this blog, we will discuss what gum disease is, its different stages, and how to treat it. 

What is gum disease?

Gum disease is an inflammatory condition that weakens the gums and supporting structures around the teeth. Gum disease first forms when plaque builds up on the tooth and gum line, which can lead to inflamed or infected gums. 

Early gum disease symptoms include swollen, red, and bleeding gums. When left untreated, it can progress to more severe symptoms like receding gums, loose teeth, and bone loss. 

Symptoms of gum disease

Symptoms of gum disease can include any of the following:

• Bad breath
• Pus between gums and teeth
• Bleeding gums
• Swollen or tender gums 
• Receding gum
• Dry mouth
• Pain while chewing
• Loose or sensitive teeth

Causes of gum disease

While the main cause of gum disease is plaque buildup on your teeth, gum disease can also develop due to risk factors like poor oral hygiene, smoking, poor nutrition, and hormonal changes.

The stages of gum disease

Gingivitis 

Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease, causing your gums to become red, swollen, and bleed easily. This early stage of gum disease is easy to miss as it does not cause very much pain or discomfort. It can however lead to more extensive issues or later stages of the disease if not treated.

Periodontitis

Untreated gingivitis can develop into periodontitis, which is a more extensive form of gum disease. As plaque begins to grow below the gum line, toxins and bacteria will inflame your gum tissue, which is where the bone supporting your teeth is severely weakened. This can cause your gums to separate from your teeth, causing infections and tooth loss if not treated properly.

Gum disease treatment 

The best gum disease treatment for you will depend on the severity of your condition. Mild cases like gingivitis can often be treated non-surgically, while serious stages will require more advanced treatments.

The duration of your treatment will again depend on the severity of your condition. Mild symptoms of gum disease can subside in as little as two weeks when following a dentist’s instructions. More severe treatments may require long-term treatments, involving multiple surgeries and extended healing periods.

Non-surgical gum disease treatments

Improved oral hygiene 

Early-stage gingivitis can be treated quite easily with improved oral hygiene habits, including: 

• Brushing your teeth twice a day
• Using fluoride toothpaste 
• Flossing daily
• Regular dental cleaning

Depending on the severity of your condition, you may need regular cleaning sessions with your dentist. Consistent oral hygiene practices are key to preventing the progression of gum disease and maintaining a healthy smile.

Scaling & root planing

Scaling and root planning can help to reach deep beneath your gum line and remove plaque and tartar on the root surface. This treatment can also assist in smoothing any rough spots on your roots, which can prevent bacteria from reattaching to your teeth. This deep cleaning procedure is often necessary to stop the progression of gum disease.

Laser periodontal therapy

Laser periodontal therapy involves using a small laser to remove diseased tissue and kill bacteria. It is a very popular treatment method as it is non-invasive, and doesn’t involve any cuts or incisions. The precision of the laser allows for a heavily targeted treatment, reducing discomfort and providing a faster solution.

Surgical gum disease treatments 

Flap surgery

For this treatment, incisions will be created along your gum line so that your dentist can temporarily move your gums away from your teeth to remove any plaque and tartar buildup from the roots of your teeth. This treatment will require stitches to secure your gums back into place. Flap surgery, whilst more invasive, allows for a deep clean where non-surgical treatments often cannot match.

Bone & gum grafting

Bone and gum grafting involves using your own, donated or synthetic bone or tissue to rebuild areas that have been weakened or damaged. A bone graft is used as scaffolding that holds space until a new bone is regenerated. These treatments help to restore the structural integrity of your gums and bones.

Guided tissue regeneration

If gum disease has caused gaps to develop between your tooth’s root and bone, you may need tissue regeneration. This involves your dentist placing a membrane in the damaged area to keep your gum from growing where the bone should be. This then allows your body to regenerate bone around the tooth.

The Point Dental can help treat gum disease

Here at The Point Dental, we understand that it can be difficult to come to terms with the fact that you may have gum disease. We are here to help you every step of the way. We have a range of treatment options for gum disease and also have a range of solutions for restoring your smile if it has been heavily affected by gum disease, offering dental implants such as All-On-4.

Our team of friendly dental experts is committed to providing you with the highest standard of care and the best quality dental implants. To ensure that all of our patients have a comfortable experience with us, we provide sleep dentistry services to ease stress and make your dental visit more relaxed.

Are you ready to explore what treatment options may be best for you? Contact our friendly dental experts today to start discussing your options.