Severe gum infection or periodontitis is a leading cause of tooth loss in the United States. Despite the prevalence of periodontitis, it is largely preventable. It is usually a result of poor oral hygiene, such as going for days without brushing and flossing your teeth. Failure to observe dental hygiene causes the accumulation of plaque which hardens into a compound called tartar. Since tartar contains bacteria, it poses damage to your gums and jawbone. Without periodontal disease treatment in Frisco, you risk severe cases such as bone damage and tooth loss. Consider a visit to your dentist if you exhibit symptoms such as puffy gums, painful chewing, bad breath, and bleeding gums.
Treatment for periodontitis
There are different treatment methods used to address periodontitis. The one your dentist will recommend depends on the severity of your condition. Generally, all treatment methods have a common goal: to clean the formed pockets and keep the jawbone safe from further damage. While treatment can help improve your oral condition, it is worthwhile to adopt an everyday routine for the good health of your mouth. The following are the treatment methods that your doctor may recommend if your condition is not severe.
· Scaling and root planing
It is a two in one treatment whereby the dentist gets rid of tartar and bacteria from your teeth surfaces, a process known as scaling. Scaling is necessary since you cannot get rid of tartar with usual cleaning techniques such as brushing. The following process, which is root planing, entails smoothening the surfaces of exposed roots. Your doctor will then remove any plaque and tartar that are beneath your gums.
· Antibiotics
They are available as gels, oral rinses, or tablets. Antibiotics control bacterial infection in mouth areas, including your gums. You may need to take antibiotics to get rid of infection-causing bacteria orally.
For advanced periodontitis, your doctor will discuss with you the following surgical options.
· Soft tissue graft
If you have receding gums due to damaged soft tissue, soft tissue grafting may benefit you. It reinforces a damaged gum line using tissue from your mouth palate or a donor to cover the exposed roots. The procedure prevents further gum recession and improves your dental outlook. By adopting healthy oral hygiene practices, you can maintain the results.
· Bone grafting
Without treatment, periodontitis can destroy the bone surrounding your tooth root. If this is the case, your specialist may recommend bone grafting to hold your tooth firmly in place. The graft can be synthetic, a donor’s, or small pieces of your bone, which offers the foundation for the growth of natural bone.
· Flap surgery
Your surgeon makes small incisions in your gums to expose the roots. Doing this facilitates effective scaling and root planing, which eliminates plaque, tartar, and bacteria. The dentist may fix the damaged bone before suturing the gum in place. Activities such as brushing and flossing become much easier after you completely heal.
After treatment, your specialist may send you home with lifestyle measures like flossing daily and quitting smoking to reduce your risk for periodontitis. To learn more about gum disease, book a session with your dentists at Lone Star Dental Care.