Gum Disease Treatment

Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is a serious bacterial infection of the gums and bones that support the teeth. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Fortunately, the condition is manageable with the help of a dental professional.

We encourage you to learn more about gum disease by reading below! If you notice you are experiencing any of the mentioned symptoms, call our Danville, IN office to schedule an appointment.

What Is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is an infection of the tissues that support your teeth. It’s usually caused by poor brushing and flossing habits that allow plaque—a sticky film of food debris, bacteria, and saliva—to build up on your teeth and harden. If plaque is not removed, it turns into tartar (calculus). Once tartar builds up, it can attract and harbor even more plaque and bacteria. Your gums may become irritated and inflamed, a condition known as gingivitis (the first stage of gum disease). If gingivitis is not treated, it can lead to more advanced stages of the disease.

Signs & Symptoms

Gum disease is a progressive condition that occurs in three separate stages—each more severe than the last. These stages are gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis.

Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that is caused as plaque and tartar begin to build up on the teeth. In this stage, patients may notice red, swollen gum tissue and bleeding when brushing or flossing. At this point, the condition can still be reversed with improved oral hygiene.
Periodontitis is the next stage in the condition. The gum tissue may become recessed at this point, and patients may even notice some loose teeth. Periodontitis is indicated by deeper gum pockets, as bacteria have begun gathering in these spaces and damaging the bone.
Advanced periodontitis is the final stage of the condition. At this stage, the gum tissue will be red, swollen, bleeding, and severely infected. Teeth may be in the process of falling out.

What Causes Gum Disease?

Many different factors can contribute to gum disease.

Poor oral hygiene is one of the most common, as it allows plaque and bacteria to build up on teeth and gums.
Genetics can also play a role, as some people are simply more prone to gum disease than others.
Hormonal changes, such as those that occur during pregnancy, can also make gum disease more likely.
Certain medications can also cause gum disease, as they can reduce the amount of saliva in the mouth, which helps to keep teeth and gums clean.
Tobacco use is another major risk factor, as it can contribute to inflammation and other problems in the mouth.
Stress can also make gum disease more likely, as it can reduce the body’s ability to fight off infection.

Treatment for Gum Disease

Treatment for gum disease depends on the severity of the condition. For mild cases of gum disease, treatment may involve practicing better oral hygiene habits, such as brushing and flossing regularly. For more severe cases of gum disease, treatment may involve a deep cleaning of the teeth, antibiotics, or surgery.

Scaling & Root Planing

Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning procedure that is used to remove tartar and plaque from the teeth and gums. While this is also the objective of a standard cleaning, scaling and root planing procedures are more in-depth as they are designed to remove this buildup from below the gum line. Once the gum pockets are clean, the roots of the teeth will be smoothed (planed), which helps to prevent future buildup.

Osseous Surgery

Osseous surgery is a type of periodontal surgery that is used to treat advanced cases of gum disease. This procedure involves removing tartar and plaque from the teeth and gums, as well as any damaged bone or tissue below the gum line. The process for this procedure may vary depending on the severity of the condition, but it typically involves making small incisions in the gums to pull back the tissue, cleaning out the affected areas, and then stitching the gums back in place.

Periodontal Maintenance

Following any gum disease treatment, one of the most important things that you can do is to practice good oral hygiene habits and have regular dental checkups. This will help to prevent the condition from recurring and allow your dentist to catch any early signs of gum disease so that treatment can be started as soon as possible. While many patients are recommended to visit our office every six months, patients with advanced stages of gum disease will need to come in more often for periodontal maintenance cleanings.