Non-Surgical Treatment Gum disease is a serious oral condition affecting not only the teeth but the gums and other soft tissues of the mouth. Once a diagnosis is made, it can be harrowing to get all of the information concerning the disease. If the disease is in the early stages like gingivitis, then it is treatable and in fact reversible with the proper treatment. However, if periodontal disease has progressed to either minor, moderate, or advanced stages it is not reversible or curable. Patients will have to deal with the symptoms for the remainder of their lives. If you have noticed any of the symptoms or think you may have gum disease it is very important to contact our office at Mission Hills Periodontics. We can assess your situation and recommend the appropriate treatment. Causes of Gum DiseaseBacteria is the initial culprit when talking about gum disease. When left unchecked by not brushing or flossing properly, the bacteria can become plaque. While this can be brushed and cleaned off the teeth by flossing, if it is left in place it can turn into tartar which can only be removed by a professional cleaning. If this is ignored, the tartar can build up beneath the gumline and irritate the gums to the point that gingivitis can take root. This is the first stage of gum disease. There are a few things that can increase your risk of developing gum disease. If the patient uses tobacco products such as cigarettes or even smokeless tobacco, it can increase their chances of developing gum disease. Recently, e-cigarettes have also been linked to gum disease. Saliva is extremely important to the mouth. Some prescription medications can create dry mouth which is important because saliva can help to keep the surfaces of teeth moist. Keeping the mouth moist creates an environment where food has a hard time clinging to surfaces. It can also help wash away the corrosive bacteria in the mouth and keep it from doing too much damage. Treatment OptionsWhile most people who develop gum disease might need surgical options, some do not. The surgical options range from flap surgery to tissue regeneration. These are all invasive and expensive. And while they will indeed help the symptoms, they will not be able to cure gum disease. For those patients who do not opt for surgery, there are a few options to consider. These can be performed by a dentist, hygienist, or periodontist. At the heart of it, non-surgical treatments look to keep the pockets at the base of the teeth clear of debris and infection. Scaling involves clearing tartar from the tooth surface and beneath the gums. It also removes bacteria there too. It can be done with manual instruments or laser technology. Another non-surgical method is root planing. This keeps the root surfaces smooth to stymie the growth of bacteria or tartar. The last non-surgical option is antibiotics. These can be in an oral tablet form or a topical form that is massaged into the targeted tissue. This will diminish and likely eliminate the bacterial infection. Contact us with your concerns at Mission Hills Periodontics. You can call us at (619) 356-5989 for an appointment today. |
