4 Essential Things You Should Know About Periodontal Treatment
When you notice bleeding after brushing, it could be because of brushing harshly. But, if you have persistent gum bleeding that lasts for a couple of minutes, you may have gum disease and need periodontal treatment in Bayport, NY.
What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is a common oral health problem caused by bacteria entering the mouth through the gums. The bacteria cause inflammation, bleeding, and infection in your teeth and gums. Gum disease can also lead to tooth loss if left untreated for too long. If you have gum disease, it’s important to visit your dentist regularly to keep your teeth healthy and prevent further complications from occurring. Before seeking periodontal treatment near you, there are four things you need to know about gum disease treatment, and they include:
1. The gum disease occurs in stages
Gum disease occurs in different stages—gingivitis, periodontitis, advanced periodontitis, and tooth loss.
- Gingivitis
Gingivitis is a gingivae inflammation caused by plaque buildup on your teeth and gums.
Gingivitis does not present symptoms in the initial stages, and that is why it can go unnoticed. You can, however, reverse the inflammation with deep professional cleaning.
- Periodontitis
Periodontitis affects the gums and the bone around them. It is caused by bacteria that invade the gum tissue, causing inflammation and destruction of bone.
The symptoms of periodontitis are bleeding gums, loose teeth, bad breath, swollen jaw, and teeth. The most common periodontitis treatment is scaling and root planning. This procedure involves removing plaque from the pockets around each tooth to restore healthy gum tissue.
This disease can be prevented with good oral hygiene practices such as brushing twice a day, flossing, and visiting your dentist near you regularly for professional cleanings and checkups.
- Advanced periodontitis
Advanced periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes the loss of bone and tissue in the jaw. It is characterized by inflammation, tissue destruction, and bacterial overgrowth. Advanced periodontitis can lead to tooth loss if not treated properly.
2. Different factors can increase your risk of periodontal disease.
Plaques and poor dental hygiene is the primary cause of gum disease. However, several factors like hormonal changes, illness, medications, and bad habits like smoking can increase the risk.
3. The treatment can be surgical or nonsurgical
The treatment of gum disease can depend on the severity and can either be surgical or nonsurgical.
- What does periodontics treatment involve?
The treatments of periodontal disease include scaling and root planing. Scaling is when the dentists scale your mouth to heal the gums. They remove plaque that has formed above and below the gum line, making sure to clean down to the bottom of your pockets. Root planing involves reshaping the teeth and reattaching the gum tissue to reduce the pockets.
If root planing and scaling do not eliminate the bacteria, the dentist will recommend other treatments like flap surgery. This procedure involves cutting the gum tissues, cleaning the gums, reshaping the teeth, and reducing the gum pockets.
A bone graft can also be done if you have lost the supporting bone. The procedure involves taking a bone granule, or parts of it, from another part of the body and placing it in the area where the bone is missing.
4. Gum disease treatment takes time
Gum disease treatment can take weeks to several months. The time frame is dependent on the severity of the gum disease. However, some people may need a shorter treatment time.
How can you prevent gum disease?
Gum disease is a common condition that affects around half of the population. It is caused by plaque buildup on the teeth, which leads to inflammation and infection.
The first step in preventing gum disease is to brush your teeth twice a day with toothpaste or floss, ideally for two minutes each time. Additionally, visit a dentist for professional cleaning.
Also, you can reduce your risk of getting gum disease by eating healthy foods and staying away from sugary foods and drinks.
Also, do not smoke or chew tobacco and avoid acidic foods such as orange juice and sports drinks.
Schedule an Appointment
Visit Bayport Dental Care for more information about periodontal disease and suitable treatment.