Have you been diagnosed with gingivitis? If so, you are not alone. This common oral condition affects as many as one in three adults. If you leave the situation untreated, gingivitis can eventually progress to the point that it becomes irreversible. It may even lead to the loss of your teeth, which is why it is so important to find an effective gingivitis treatment from a skilled periodontist. To learn more about the treatment options, contact Lovett Dental Upper Kirby today at 713-490-8888.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
Gum disease has many symptoms that can vary from individual to individual. However, the common symptoms of gingivitis include:
- Persistent bad breath
- Red or swollen gums
- Pain when chewing
- Red or swollen gums
- Loose or sensitive teeth
- Receding gums or teeth that appear to have grown longer
Now that you realize how severe gingivitis can be, you understand the importance of treatment and its ability to handle your condition. There are a variety of surgical and non-surgical gingivitis treatment options available. We will first take a look at non-surgical gingivitis treatment options.
6 Effective Ways to Treat Gingivitis
1. Professional Dental Cleaning
When you come in for your regular dental cleaning, your dental hygienist will be removing plaque and tartar that accumulate on the surface of your teeth. Plaque is a sticky biofilm that contains bacteria. Oral bacteria feed on sugary foods and beverages, secreting acids that damage your tooth enamel, leading to gum disease. Once plaque hardens into tartar, only a dentist or dental hygienist can remove it.
Dental cleaning involves the removal of plaque and tartar from the areas above and below your gum line. If your dentist or periodontist finds symptoms of gum disease, they may advise you to undergo dental cleanings more than twice annually.
2. Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical procedure that your dentist will perform while you’re under local anesthesia. Your dental hygienist will scrape away hardened plaque and tartar from around your gum line. The “planing” part of the process involves smoothing the rough areas that can harbor bacteria. It creates a clean surface so your teeth can reattach to your gums.
3. Antibiotics
In some cases, your dentist can address inflamed gum tissue without surgery. Some types of antibiotics can be placed within the mouth between your gums and teeth to eliminate oral bacteria that can cause or worsen signs of gingivitis.
Surgical Treatments
Alternatively, there are surgical treatments available for treating gingivitis.
4. Pocket Reduction Surgery
In this procedure, your periodontist will lift your gums back and remove tartar. They will need to smooth the irregular bone surfaces so that bacteria cannot hide there as easily. Gums will be placed to fit around your teeth snugly. The reduction of pockets will limit safe areas for oral bacteria.
5. Guided Tissue Regeneration
This procedure may be needed when the bone has been destroyed to stimulate bone and gum tissue growth. Your dentist may perform it in conjunction with pocket reduction procedures. A special mesh is placed between the gum tissue and bone to prevent gum tissue from developing where bone should be found. This treatment should allow connective tissue and bone to regrow and provide firmer support for your teeth.
6. Bone Surgery
This procedure helps to smooth uneven surfaces found on the bone because of bone destruction. After pocket reduction surgery, bone can be re-contoured to minimize craters, making it more difficult for bacteria to grow.
Preparing for Periodontics Treatment
Your dentist or periodontist can perform most procedures at the Lovett Dental Upper Kirby office. The length of time needed and the recovery period will vary. Some factors include the extent and type of procedure that you are undergoing and your general health. Your dentist may provide you with local anesthesia before your treatment. You may also receive medication to help you relax.
Lovett Dental Upper Kirby Can Help with Gingivitis
Gingivitis is a common condition normally caused by bacteria, leading to inflamed gums that may bleed. Typically, our periodontist can treat gingivitis quickly. But left untreated, it can progress into periodontal disease, a severe condition affecting one in three adults.
Don’t let this happen to you. The expert team at Lovett Dental Upper Kirby can help with your gingivitis treatment. Call Lovett Dental Upper Kirby today at 713-490-8888 to schedule your next appointment.