Brushing, flossing, and proper oral hygiene is not only important for healthy teeth but for healthy gums as well. If you are not mindful of your oral hygiene, it can have detrimental effects on your gums. Over time, gum disease develops, and it only becomes worse as the days pass. Your periodontal health will be in danger, with your gums looking red, swollen, and even receding.
So, is gum disease curable? The gum disease treatment depends on the stage of periodontal disease and your specific case. While it is not possible to cure gum disease, there are many effective treatment options available. We will discuss those in our blog.
Is it Possible to Get Rid of Gum Disease?
When it comes to any level of gum disease, it is essential to receive treatment early on. This is because the sooner you receive treatment, the more you can prevent irreversible damage. A credible periodontist can treat gum disease and its effects, depending on your condition. Nonetheless, there is no ‘cure’ for gum disease; generally, home treatments and surgical procedures are used to eliminate the consequences of periodontal disease.
Gum Disease Treatments
Gum disease starts to develop when plaque and tartar build up on the surface of your teeth. Slowly, they start affecting your gums, irritating them. Then, you will notice red and swollen gums that might start bleeding when you brush or floss. If your gum disease is diagnosed at an early stage, there is a possibility of reversing it — but the more it progresses, the more severe the complications will be. The level of gum disease you have will determine if you, the periodontist, will proceed with surgical or non-surgical treatment.
Non-Surgical Treatments
For mild periodontitis or gingivitis, the following non-surgical therapies might be beneficial:
- Dental Prophylaxis: Regular dental cleaning procedure that removes the bacteria, plaque, and tartar from your teeth and gums.
- Scaling & Root Planing: Deep dental cleaning that works to eliminate plaque and tartar that is present beneath the gum line as well as teeth.
- Antibiotic Therapy: Used either as a standalone or in combination with other methods of treatment, antibiotic therapies place the medications in periodontal pockets to fight the infection.
- Laser Periodontal Therapy: The periodontist uses a tiny laser to get rid of the diseased tissue, killing the bacteria under the gums.
Surgical Procedures
Surgical intervention becomes necessary when the periodontal disease reaches a moderate to advanced form, which includes:
- Flap Surgery: This procedure involves the periodontist temporarily moving the gums from teeth to remove tartar build-up and clean the root surfaces. Then, they reposition the gums and stitch them in position.
- Bone Grafting: Advanced gum disease may damage the bones, causing dental bone loss. Your periodontist may proceed with a bone graft to rebuild the lost bone density.
- Gum Grafting: In a gum graft surgery, the periodontist will suture gum tissues in areas affected by the recession. This is because your gums pull back in an advanced level of periodontal disease, exposing tooth roots.
What’s Next?
In simple terms, there are multiple treatments for gum disease, but it depends on the stage which treatment is most suitable for you. At Gateway Family Dentistry, we have the solutions to your dental troubles. Talk to us now at (661) 829-7905 to discuss the adequate treatment options for you, or give us a visit at 13029 Stockdale Hwy, # 100, Bakersfield, CA 93314.