Gum Disease Treatment

If you have been diagnosed with gum disease, odds are that you will need professional help to stop it in its tracks.

Unlike a bad cold, gum disease won’t go away on its own. And, if the disease goes untreated, it can lead to tooth loss. On the plus side, if treated early, damage can be reversed.  

If you suspect you have gum disease, you should take steps now to keep the disease from doing further damage to your gums and teeth. Cosmetic dentist Jean Barthman in Redwood City can assess your teeth and provide gum disease treatment. She has more than 20 years of dental experience and can determine the appropriate treatment for your stage of the disease. If you need restoration work, her dental spa offers a wide range of services ranging from tooth-colored fillings to dental implants.

Gum disease is caused by the bacteria in our mouths. Bacteria, mucous, and food particles form plaque, which releases acids that harm our teeth. If plaque is not regularly removed by brushing and flossing, it hardens into tartar, which usually requires professional help to remove. Left undisturbed, plaque and tartar can slip below the gums and further erode bone and tissue supporting our teeth. As the disease progresses, teeth may become loose and need to be removed.

The goal of gum disease treatment is to stop this progression and prevent tooth loss. Treatment will depend on the stage of the disease.

Mild Gum Disease

If you have mild gum disease, called gingivitis, you may be able to stop the inflammation of your gums through good oral hygiene. At this stage there is no loss of bone and tissue. Steps to treat gingivitis include:

• Brushing your teeth twice a day.
• Daily flossing.
• Using an antiseptic or antiplaque mouthwash.
• Regular checkups and cleanings.
• Taking antibiotics, if prescribed by your dentist.

Advanced Gum Disease

Gingivitis that is not treated or does not respond to treatment can progress to advanced gum disease, called periodontitis. At this point, prompt treatment is needed to stop the infection and halt damage to your teeth and gums.

Depending on the extent of the periodontitis, treatments include:

• Root Planing and Scaling. Scaling removes plaque and tartar above and below the gum line. Planing smooths the rough spots on your tooth root that offer an attractive home for bacteria.
• Antibiotics. These may be prescribed to kill the bacteria.
• Surgery. If other treatments don’t control your gum disease or if you have already suffered damage, you may need surgery. Surgical treatments include:
• Gingivectomy.This procedure removes and reshapes diseased gum tissue to eliminate pockets around the teeth where bacteria collect.
• Flap Procedure.In this procedure, gums will be pulled back to remove bacteria from the tooth roots and to examine the bone for problems.
• Bone and Tissue Grafts.If gum disease has destroyed bone or tissue, grafts can be performed to encourage their regrowth in an attempt to keep the tooth securely in place.

Next Steps

The longer gum disease is left untreated, the more damage can be done. If you suspect you have gum disease, it’s important to treat it now. Please call for an appointment.