How Do I Cure Gum Disease?
Gum disease is never a good sign for the oral health of the patient, both aesthetically and personally. Therefore, it's important to be aware of potential signs and treatment options to maintain good oral health.
What is gum disease?
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums caused by inadequate oral hygiene. It is one of the most common gum diseases and can be defined as an early form of periodontal disease. In some more specific cases, other factors can trigger gingivitis. These include diseases that affect immunity and hormonal changes. Without proper treatment, gingivitis can turn into periodontitis.
Symptoms of gum disease include:
- Redness in the gum area;
- Swollen gums;
- Bleeding;
- Bad breath;
- Pain in the gums when chewing;
- Gum retraction, giving the impression of longer teeth;
Preventing gingivitis involves, first and foremost, improving oral hygiene—helping prevent its development. Flossing and brushing after every meal, keeping your toothbrush dry and clean, and changing it every three months help prevent bacteria from building up in the gum area.
It is very important to visit your dentist regularly. He or she will be able to perform a more thorough cleaning to remove any plaque that may be present and, if the disease is developing, detect it and begin treatment early.
The dentist can diagnose gingivitis by simply looking at the patient's mouth. If the cause of the disease is unclear, further tests will be necessary to confirm it. Patients should be alert to any of the symptoms mentioned above and, if they notice any, seek immediate medical attention to begin treatment.
Treatment will depend on the stage of the disease. If the condition is only slightly swollen, bleeding, and red, but tartar buildup between the teeth and gums is not visible, home treatment is possible. Cleaning with baking soda, brushing, and flossing are sufficient to improve the condition.
However, when gingivitis is more advanced and brushing becomes extremely painful, it's necessary to go to a dental office for professional treatment. The dentist will clean the teeth with specific instruments to remove tartar. Antibiotics may also be necessary to reduce pain and eliminate remaining bacteria, as well as mouthwash and dental floss to allow the gums to heal.
Periodontitis
Periodontitis is the next and most advanced stage of gingivitis. To treat it, your oral health professional may prescribe antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, or even perform minor surgery.
Gingivitis, when left untreated, can eventually develop into periodontitis, spreading to the periodontium, the tissue between the teeth and jawbone. Over time, the tooth loses its support and eventually falls out.
Periodontitis is more serious because the inflammatory substances and bacteria that trigger the disease can enter the bloodstream and cause serious complications for the patient.
When bacteria enter the bloodstream, they can cause cardiovascular problems in the patient. Women should pay more attention to their oral health, as hormonal fluctuations make them more prone to developing periodontitis.
Preventing the disease involves regular visits to the dentist. They can detect gingivitis in its early stages, before it progresses to periodontitis. Oral hygiene is also a very important step. Brushing and flossing your teeth after every meal prevents bacteria from remaining on your gums.
Periodontitis can only be diagnosed in the dental office. The dentist will assess the condition of the gums and the stage of the disease. It's important to remember that tartar also affects the gums.
Periodontitis presents no symptoms in its early stages, so many people end up not seeing the dentist often enough and are diagnosed later. In this case, it's necessary to supplement the analysis with X-rays, which will measure bone loss.
Treatment involves a deep cleaning at your dentist's office. Your dentist may prescribe antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and antiseptic mouthwashes. In some cases, minor surgery may be necessary to clean the most damaged areas of the gums and bone.
A very important point is: treatment only controls the progression of the disease. Degenerated and damaged tissues cannot be reconstructed.
In Conclusion
Now that we know what gum diseases are and how to treat them, we need to pay attention to our oral hygiene and consult our trusted professional regularly. Contact us today to begin your care!