Concerned You May Have Gum Disease? Here Are The Early Treatment Options

If you suspect you have gum disease, you should see your dentist as soon as you can. Early treatment is important because that's when the condition can be reversed with fairly simple forms of treatment. You should be concerned you have gum disease when your gums bleed easily, and they look red or inflamed. Your dentist can quickly confirm the diagnosis and begin the right treatment. These are some of the things he or she may recommend.

Teeth Cleaning

Gum disease is caused by the buildup of tartar under the gums. This usually happens because you don't brush your teeth often enough. Even brushing daily may not be enough if you have a medical condition, such as diabetes, that makes you more prone to infections. Your dentist will probably recommend you increase brushing frequency to remove plaque before it can turn into tartar.

However, once tartar has already formed, the only way to get rid of it is to have it scraped off by a hygienist. Until your gum disease is under control, your dentist may want you to undergo frequent dental cleanings to keep the tartar off your teeth so your gums can heal.

Scaling And Planing

Scaling and planing are two procedures done at the same time. They clean your teeth more aggressively than a simple dental cleaning. The hygienist may use an ultrasonic device or a scraper, and since the cleaning is deeper, your gums are numbed during the treatment. Scaling removes tartar from deep under your gums and planing smooths the surface of your teeth roots. When your teeth are slick and smooth, it's more difficult for bacteria to find nooks and crannies to cling onto.

Antibiotic Use

Your dentist may recommend a course of antibiotics to help fight your gum disease. Antibiotic fibers may be inserted into your gums during the scaling and planing treatment. Your dentist may prescribe antibiotic toothpaste and mouthwash for you to use until your gums heal. It's even possible you'll need to take oral antibiotics before and after the scaling and planing session if you have a medical condition that makes getting an infection more dangerous for you.

These gum disease treatments combined with consistent daily brushing and flossing can help reverse the early stages of gum disease or at least keep it from progressing. In addition to improving the health of your gums, getting treatment for your condition also improves problems with sore gums while eating and bad breath from gum infections. If you ignore your symptoms, and the condition continues to get worse, you may lose your teeth or develop more serious gum infections that are costly to treat. For more information, visit http://www.neufamilydental.com.


Share