Gum Disease Treatment: At the Dentist and at Home
The short answer.
Treatment depends on the stage: professional cleaning, scaling and root planing to remove plaque and tartar below the gums, antibiotics, and ongoing preventive care. Caught early, gum disease can be treated and reversed.
Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is one of the most common medical conditions worldwide. 1 in 10 Australian adults suffers from moderate to severe gum disease (another site).
Taking care of your oral health and visiting your dentist as soon as you notice any signs of gum disease is essential to managing the condition. If caught early, gum disease is easily treatable and reversible. How to treat gum disease depends on several factors, including the stage of the disease and your needs.
What are the Signs of Gum Disease?
Gum disease first manifests as one or more of the following symptoms:
- Swollen, puffy, or red gums
- Sore or irritated gums
- Some bleeding after brushing or flossing
- Bad smelling breath
- Receding gum line
Regular dental visits can help your dentist spot periodontal disease. They can examine your gums during routine check-ups for signs of gum disease, such as inflammation. X-rays can also be taken to check for bone loss.
Types of Gum Disease
Although there are several types of periodontal disease, these are the most common:
Chronic gingivitis
Most people with periodontal disease suffer from gingivitis, the mildest form. When oral hygiene isn’t up to par, the gums become red, inflamed, and bleed readily with little to no discomfort.
A combination of professional dental cleanings and proper at-home dental hygiene can help treat gingivitis and prevent the progression of the disease.
Aggressive periodontitis
Aggressive periodontitis usually develops in early adulthood. Patients who are otherwise healthy can develop this condition. Aggressive periodontitis is characterised by rapid tooth loss and bone destruction. The condition may be hereditary, affecting more than one family member.
Chronic periodontitis
More than 20% of Australian adults suffer from chronic periodontitis (another site). The supporting gum and bone around the teeth are lost, causing pockets and gum recession around the teeth. This dental condition may result in tooth loss if left untreated.
Necrotising periodontal disease
Necrotising periodontal disease is an infection that occurs when gum tissue dies and the bone around the tooth collapses. Two of the most common symptoms are a foul odour and bleeding gums. Having this disease can cause a loss of gum tissue and underlying bone.
How to Treat Gum Disease
Dental Spot offers various gum disease treatments depending on how gum disease affects your gums, jawbone, and teeth.
Professional dental cleaning
During your regular check-up and clean, your hygienist removes plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line of all your teeth. Your dentist may recommend more frequent professional cleanings if you have some signs of gum disease.
Scaling and root planing
Your dentist may recommend scaling and root planing if you have plaque and hardened plaque, also known as tartar, behind your gums that need to be removed.
Scaling involves removing plaque and tartar above and below the gum line, while planing involves smoothing rough surface areas on the tooth’s root.
The procedure helps remove the bacteria that cause gum disease and other bacteria that may congregate in certain areas in your mouth. While you may have some bleeding afterwards, you should be able to eat and drink normally later that day.
At your next visit, your dentist will evaluate your teeth and see if further treatment is required for your gum disease.
Antibiotic medications
You may need antibiotics if your infection is extensive or if you have a lot of bacteria in plaque pockets beneath your gums. You should complete the entire course of antibiotics.
Skipping doses can promote superbugs or bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. Always follow your dentist’s directions when taking prescription medications.
Preventive maintenance
Your dentist can teach you how to treat gum disease at home with a good oral hygiene regimen. Cut down on sugar consumption to prevent the development of gum disease. You should quit smoking tobacco and other substances, because smoking increases your risk of periodontal disease by 200 to 600% (CDC (another site)).
After gum disease treatment, you can keep your teeth strong by brushing them with a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Flossing can prevent gingivitis by eliminating plaque and food particles from the mouth. Your dentist may also recommend antiseptic mouthwashes.
Keep Your Gums Healthy With Dental Spot
Regular dental check-ups with your dentist can keep your dental health in good shape. Routine cleanings and preventative care are important practices that help reduce your risk of developing gum disease.
Sources
- Periodontal diseases in the Australian adult population (another site), Australian Dental Journal
- Gum disease (another site), healthdirect
- Treatments for Gum Disease (another site), WebMD
- Successful Treatments For Periodontal Disease (another site), Colgate
- How Is Periodontal Disease Treated? (another site), Healthline
This guide is general information, not advice about your own teeth. Your dentist can tell you what applies to you, including the risks of any treatment.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
