Dentist
How to Treat Gum Disease

How to Treat Gum Disease

Bacterial growth in your mouth is the major cause of gum disease, which is also known as gingivitis, or periodontal disease. Gum disease causes serious damage to the tissues that surround your teeth and if the condition is not properly treated,it usually results in a loss of teeth. Periodontal disease is the next stage of gingivitis, but not all cases of gingivitis will end in periodontal disease.

Causes of Gum Disease

Plaque is the major cause of all kinds of dental problems, including gum disease. Persistent plaque will develop in patients with gum disease. However, there are some other factors that contribute in gum disease, including:

  • Any kind of hormonal change (such as pregnancy) makes gums more sensitive
  • A physical illness may affect your gums, making them more sensitive
  • Side effects from some medications
  • Smoking and using other tobacco products

Diseases like Cancer and HIV will weaken your immune system and your gums become even more vulnerable. People with high blood sugar also have an increased risk of developing gingivitis. Some drugs cause abnormal growth in your gum tissues, causing infection. Family history can also be a contributing factor in gingivitis.

Symptoms of Gum Disease

How-to-Treat-Gum-Disease The progression of gum disease is sometimes difficult of notice. The progress is slow and painless so you might not notice the condition until a later stage of the disease. These symptoms may also indicate other physical conditions, so check with your dentist. Some symptoms of gum disease are:

  • Gums bleeding during brushing
  • Swollen, red, and tender gums
  • Bad breath, and a bad taste in your mouth
  • Receding gums

These are the primary symptoms of gum disease. You may also notice formation of either deep or small pockets, between teeth and gums. At later stages you may lose your teeth or your teeth may shift out of place.

Gum Disease Treatment

The treatment of gum disease will depend on the stage of your gum disease. Your overall health is also a major concern before starting any treatments. Treatments can include surgical procedures and non-surgical procedures, including:

  • Professional dental cleaning and removal of plaque
  • Root planing may be needed
  • Flap or pocket reduction surgery
  • Soft tissue grafts

These are common treatments for gum disease. There are also many less common treatments, such as guided tissue generation and bone surgery. When you visit a dentist for a gum condition, they will perform a typical checkup and will remove your plaque and tartar. Your dentist may recommend professional dental cleaning more than twice-a-year.

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