Gum disease is a very common condition that affects the tissues that surround and support your teeth. This condition is also known as periodontal disease. Plaque, a sticky bacterial film, first accumulates on the teeth. If this is left untreated, plaque can become tartar, which can irritate the gums and lead to infection and inflammation.
Gingivitis and periodontitis are the two main phases of gum disease. The milder type, gingivitis, is characterised by inflammation of the gums and is frequently curable with good oral care. It can develop into periodontitis, a more serious illness where the gums separate from the teeth and create pockets that harbour germs and can cause tooth loss, if treatment from a reliable dentist is not received.
Medical intervention is required for gum disease when:
To keep this condition from getting worse and to safeguard your general and oral health, prompt treatment is essential. It is to be noted that, core health problems like diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory disorders may also be connected to advanced gum disease. Consult with a reliable dentist to understand your condition better.
The degree of gum disease will determine the course of treatment you should seek. These are the basic treatment options you'll likely face:
Your periodontist or dentist will perform a comprehensive examination before treatment. They will measure pocket depth, examine tooth stability, and look for gum inflammation.
They may take X-rays to assess bone injury or loss. The dentist will plan the treatment after taking several illnesses into account, such as diabetes or drugs that influence gum health.
Doing these will help the dentist come up with a personalised treatment procedure based on your general oral health and the extent of the condition.
The treatment process varies depending on the severity of the condition:
i) For mild gingivitis cases:
ii) For Moderate to Severe Cases (Periodontitis):
These procedures are usualy followed to stop the progression of the disease and promote gum healing.
Patients may have moderate discomfort, sensitivity, or oedema following the treatment. Instructions for after-treatment care will be given by your dentist and may include:
To track developments and make sure the illness is under control, you should always have follow-up appointments with your dentist.
Since local anesthesia or numbing drugs are used during the surgery, treating gum disease will be painless. Scaling and root planing are some examples of non-surgical therapies that may produce mild discomfort, but surgical procedures may result in mild soreness following the surgery. Options for pain management, like medicine and ice packs, efficiently handle any discomfort that may arise after treatment.
The length of recovery depends on the kind and intensity of the treatment:
Your dentist will provide a timeframe customised for your particular procedure and health status.
To ensure a smooth recovery, you can follow these best practices to ensure your recovery goes well:
To ensure a smooth recovery, you can follow these best practices to ensure your recovery goes well:
If you experience any of the below mentioned issues, contact dentist specialist soon:
Pain that persists or gets worse despite treatment.
Early action is essential when it comes to resolving these issues and to guarantee long-term dental health.
Gum disease is a dangerous but treatable illness. You can safeguard your teeth, rebuild your gums, and keep your smile confident for years to come by getting treatment as soon as possible and following your dentist's advice.