Gum Disease Treatment Options from Your General Dentist

The right gum disease treatment can come from your general dentist. The treatment will depend on the severity of the gum problem. Mild gum disease will need proper oral hygiene practices, including regular dental visits. These activities can control the brewing infection and prevent more damage. Moderate to severe cases may need medication and more detailed treatments. Here are the available gum disease treatment options your general dentist might recommend.

Laser treatment

This gum disease treatment is gaining a large following. Laser treatment is minimally invasive. It can treat periodontitis and gingivitis. This therapy can promote healing, reduce swelling, and kill bacteria. Remember that laser therapy does not cure gum disease. But it can control the progression of the condition.

Scaling and root planing

The general dentist can recommend this common gum disease treatment. This procedure removes plaque and tartar from teeth and gums. The process may take many appointments. Specific instruments can clean underneath the gumline and smoothen the rough areas on the teeth. Patients with severe periodontal disease may need more gum disease treatment. The dentist may recommend therapies like surgery or antibiotics.

Antibiotic treatment

Research shows that this gum disease treatment is the most common one. The patient can take this medication by mouth. The dentist can even apply the antibiotic directly to the gums. This medication can kill the bad bacteria that cause periodontitis.

Periodontal maintenance

e dentist can also recommend periodontal maintenance to patients with mild gum disease. The dentist will clean underneath the gumline. This intense cleaning will prevent periodontal disease from progressing any further. The patient can get this treatment every three to six months, based on the severity of the gum disease.

Periodontal maintenance can remove tartar and plaque buildup. It can prevent gum infection and inflammation. Regular treatments can prevent jawbone loss. They can also prevent tooth loss linked with gum disease.

Traditional surgery

The general dentist can suggest conventional surgery for treating severe gum disease. Soft tissue grafts replace missing gum tissue. Bone grafts replace lost jawbone tissue. Flap surgery lifts the gum tissue so the dentist can remove tartar and plaque from the dental roots. Pocket reduction surgery can remove tartar and plaque from the gum pockets around the teeth. This allows the gums to reattach to the teeth.

Gum disease prevention

Periodontitis is a serious oral condition. It can lead to infections and tooth loss. That is why it is important to prevent its onset. The general dentist can teach patients the following tips to prevent gum disease:

• Floss every day. Be gentle with the flossing motion. Avoid forcing the dental floss between teeth. The general dentist can recommend specific flossing tools to make it easier.
• Brush twice every day. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Brush with gentle motions to prevent gum damage.
• Set regular appointments with the dentist for assessments and professional dental cleanings. These visits can help maintain one’s oral health.