Do you also feel a little scared when you see blood stains on your toothbrush or mouthwash? Do your gums look red and swollen when you look in the mirror? Or do you constantly have a bad breath? These could be the first signs of gum disease. But don't worry. This is a condition that affects many people. The most important thing is that there are good treatments for it. Today, let's talk about this gum disease and its treatment.
Why does this gum disease occur?
Simply put, gum disease is caused by a film of bacteria that builds up on the surface of our teeth. We call this plaque . It's a yellow, sticky film. When we don't clean our teeth properly, this plaque hardens and becomes like stone. It's called tartar .
This is where the bacteria in the gum and the tartar cause an infection in our gums. At first, the gums become red, swollen, and bleed. We call this condition gingivitis . This is the beginning of gum disease.
The best part is, this condition of gingivitis can be completely cured. All it takes is a thorough cleaning by a dentist and the practice of brushing your teeth properly.
But if we ignore this, the disease becomes worse. It is called Periodontitis . At this point, the infection goes from the gums to the jawbone around the tooth. This causes gaps between the tooth and the gums, or periodontal pockets . More bacteria accumulate in these gaps, increasing the infection. Eventually, the tooth may become loose or even fall out.
What are the treatments for gum disease?
Whether you need a simple non-surgical treatment or surgery depends on several factors. For example, the stage of your gum disease, your overall oral health, and your ability to follow your dentist's instructions after treatment.
There are two main types of treatment:
1. Nonsurgical Treatments
2. Surgical Treatments
Let's look at the table below to clearly understand these treatment methods.
| Type of treatment | The treatment and what happens there |
|---|---|
| Nonsurgical Treatments | |
| Routine teeth cleaning (Dental Prophylaxis) | This is the dental cleaning we usually get from the dentist about twice a year. This removes plaque and tartar from the surface of the teeth. This is a great relief for those with gingivitis. |
| Deep cleaning (Scaling and Root Planing) | This is a deeper cleaning than a regular cleaning. It removes plaque and tartar that have built up on the root surface of the tooth, below the gum line. It also smooths the root surface of the tooth, which reduces the chance of bacteria re-occurring. Your gums will be numbed during this process so that you don't feel any pain. |
| Antibiotic Therapy | Sometimes, the dentist will use antibiotics along with other treatments. These can be placed in the space between the tooth and the gum (periodontal pocket) as a special gel or chip. These kill bacteria. |
| Laser Periodontal Therapy | This uses a tiny laser beam to remove diseased tissue and bacteria under the gums. The advantage of this is that there is no need to cut or sew like in traditional surgery. |
| Surgical Treatments | |
| Flap Surgery / Pocket Reduction | This is done for people with severe disease. Here, a small incision is made in the gum, the gum is moved slightly away from the tooth, and the root of the tooth inside is prepared so that it is clearly visible. Then, all the deep pulp is removed, and even the damaged bone is prepared. Finally, the gum is brought back to its original position and sutured. |
| Bone Grafting | This treatment is done if the jawbone around the tooth has eroded due to gum disease. This involves filling the gap with a piece of bone taken from you, a cleaned bone from someone else, or an artificial bone material. This helps the body build new bone. |
| Gum Grafting | This is done when the gums have receded and the roots of the tooth are exposed (Gum Recession). Here, a small piece of tissue taken from your palate or other tissue is placed in the area where the gums have receded and sewn up. |
What are the benefits of treatment?
Left untreated, gum disease can cause serious damage. The infection can persist, leading to bone loss and eventual tooth loss. Therefore, getting treatment on time can help you:
- The pathogenic bacteria in the mouth are eliminated.
- The jawbone stops melting.
- Bad breath (halitosis) disappears.
- Red, swollen, and painful gums are replaced with healthy gums .
- It can reduce the risk of many other serious diseases like stroke and heart disease .
What happens after treatment?
How long does it take to heal?
This depends on the treatment you had. If it was something like a deep cleaning (Scaling and Root Planing), you won't need much rest. However, if you had surgery (Flap surgery, Bone graft), it can take about one to four weeks to fully heal.
How to take care of your teeth after treatment?
Your dentist will give you a set of special instructions after treatment. It is extremely important to follow those instructions exactly.
Remember, gum disease is not curable. The only thing you can do is manage it. Treatments help to control the disease. But if you don't maintain proper oral hygiene at home, the bacteria can grow back and you'll fall back into place.
So make these things a habit:
- Brush your teeth thoroughly two or three times a day . Brushing at a 45-degree angle to the gums can help remove bacteria trapped behind the gums.
- Flossing once a day will remove any gum that your toothbrush cannot reach.
- Use an antibacterial mouthwash twice a day. Choose one that does not contain alcohol.
- Go to the dentist and have your teeth cleaned at the scheduled times . For some, twice a year is enough, but for those with severe disease, it may be necessary to go every three months.
Take-Home Message
- Bleeding, swollen gums, and bad breath are all signs of gum disease. If you notice these , see a dentist immediately.
- If gum disease is left untreated, teeth can become loose and even fall out.
- Gingivitis is completely curable in its early stages, so it is very important to seek treatment early.
- Gum disease cannot be cured, it can only be managed. In addition to professional treatment, your daily hygiene at home is equally important.
- If you suspect you have gum disease, do not attempt to treat it yourself at home, but definitely seek advice from your dentist .
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