Periodontitis: Controlling Gum Disease

Thankfully, gum disease is very easy to spot in the early stages due to one telltale sign. Bleeding gums are often the first sign that gum disease is present, and this is very visible when you brush your teeth.

Regular visits to the dentist are also essential as a trained professional will easily spot early signs of gum disease. Through attentive brushing and the support of a dental hygienist, it is usually possible to stem the progress of gum disease.

How to treat periodontitis

Should you develop periodontitis, there are a number of ways to treat the condition. The first step is always diagnosis. You need to confirm if the symptoms you are experiencing are the result of gum disease or if something else is amiss.

Once you have a diagnosis from your dentist, you can start to tackle the problem. Specialist teeth-cleaning advice would be the first step to stop the problem developing further.

This will need the commitment of the patient to make thorough cleaning part of their daily routine, including flossing and using interdental brushes. Special toothpaste and mouthwash can be used to help tackle the bacteria causing your gum disease.

Dentists may also use scaling to remove bacteria from the teeth, or a practice known as root planing where the surfaces of the tooth’s root are smoothed to deter bacteria that may stop the gums healing.

In advanced cases periodontal surgery may be necessary where the gum is lifted under anaesthetic allowing areas that are normally out of reach to be cleaned. It may also be the case that antibiotics are prescribed to help fight an infection.

Reversing or treating gum disease

If this condition is caught in the early stages, then there is a good chance you will be able to reverse your gum disease and prevent further damage. Once the condition has progressed, the only option will be to manage the condition as it will no longer be reversible.

There are secondary risks associated with gum disease that you need to be aware of. As the bacteria attacks the gum tissue and triggers inflammation, the gum tissue will start to recede. This leaves more of the tooth surface exposed and at risk of damage.

Left untreated, the bacteria and inflammation will spread to the tooth socket, which can lead to a loss of bone. Coupled with a loss of gum tissue, this can cause your teeth to become loose and they will eventually fall out.

You can prevent this by committing to regular dental checkups and ensuring that you care for your teeth between appointments.

Dealing with tooth loss due to periodontitis

These measures all aim to protect the teeth, which can become loose if the bone becomes affected. In the worst case scenarios patients can lose teeth due to periodontitis.

When the teeth are at risk, however, options remain to protect the smile. Specialists can work to restore the gums and bones through grafts, while implants and bridges may be needed to replace teeth lost to advanced gum disease.

As with all dental ailments, prevention is better than cure – concentrate on good daily hygiene and maintaining regular dental check-ups to make sure any problems are spotted at the earliest stage.

Smokers are particularly at risk of developing periodontitis, so if you do smoke, quitting would certainly benefit your dental health.

Those who suffer from sleep apnea due to mouth breathing are also at increased risk of developing gum disease. This is because mouth breathing leads to dry mouth, which can provide the ideal conditions for bacteria to thrive in the mouth.

There are many potential causes for gum disease that you should explore with your dentist. Understanding the cause can be essential in the treatment plan. If you have any concerns about gum disease contact Bhandal Dental Practice. We can help guide you through the diagnosis and treatment plan to