Gum Disease
Dentist Ann Arbor
Most patients have good oral cavity health practices, but many do not. Those patients who skip brushing and flossing, figuring nothing can happen because of it, are surprised when they develop gum disease. Gum disease is a progressive oral health disease, and treatments can vary depending on the extent of the disease. At Greashaber Dentistry, we will develop a gum disease treatment plan based on your specific needs. There are both non-surgical and surgical treatment methods that we can apply. We can also tell you how to prevent gum disease in the first place.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
Having periodontal disease can be a hectic experience because of swollen gums and pain, making you avoid some foods. Periodontal disease in most cases, causes bone loss, bleeding gums, gum pockets with a depth of more than 4 millimeters, or exposed root surfaces due to gum recession.
Causes and Risk Factors
When patients do not brush or floss properly the bacteria can increase and begin to irritate the gums and teeth. This can turn into tartar which is a sticky substance which adheres to the surfaces of the teeth. This can cause gums to get inflamed and sore which can lead to gingivitis. There can be a soreness or associated pain along the lower jaw as well as acute tooth pain.
Gums can also change color and patients can experience an over sensitivity to temperature changes of both hot and cold foods. This is because as the disease progresses, the gums can recede from the teeth and expose the more sensitive areas of the tooth. This can alter the way patients brush and floss because of the additional discomfort.
When the gums become weak and diseased as they develop gum disease, their supportive nature is compromised. They eventually will become too weak to support the teeth. At this point, patients may notice their teeth are loose. This can also cause teeth to shift out of alignment too. Once this occurs, tooth loss is imminent. When teeth begin to shift this can cause undue stress on the temporomandibular or TMJ joint and cause it to become misaligned as well. All of these circumstances can lead to a long and involved path through treatment.
Stages of Gum Disease
Periodontal disease is considered a lifelong disease because it never goes away completely, therefore a dentist has to monitor its recurrence. The initial stage of gum disease is known as gingivitis and can be treated with scaling and root planing. The advanced form of gum disease, periodontitis, is more serious and can involve surgical treatment.
Diagnosis and Treatment Options
Non-Surgical Gum Disease Treatment
Periodontal maintenance is the basic routine care required to prevent gum disease from progressing. This includes processes called scaling and root planing. The first step is scaling, which is used in routine dental care for non-periodontitis patients as well. We use a dental scaler or curette to scrape plaque and tartar from your teeth. For patients with periodontitis, this also includes the area below the gumline. The second step is root planing, which removes debris from the tooth root and smooths the surfaces. This encourages your tooth to reattach to your gum, preventing future bacteria pocket build-up.
Medication is administered in conjunction with scaling and root planing treatment. Antibiotics control the bacteria, and they can be administered in pill form or mouthwash. We can also place antibiotic microspheres or antiseptic chips in the gum pockets following scaling and root planing treatment. This releases medication directly into the gum.
Surgical Gum Disease Treatment
For advanced periodontitis, surgery may be needed to prevent future infection and repair damaged parts of your oral structure. Flap surgery is used for pockets that are too deep to reach with basic scaling treatment. This involves the gum being lifted back to expose the bacteria pockets. Our dentist then cleans and sanitizes the area before stitching the gum back in place.
In some cases of periodontitis, bone and gum tissue may deteriorate from the bacteria. For these cases, we can provide grafts to replace the lost tissues. There are multiple types of bone grafts available. For soft tissues, we use regeneration techniques to allow the tissue to grow back on its own. Regeneration is also used in conjunction with bone grafts, which lets your body regenerate bone tissue rather than soft tissue.
Prevention Tips
Routine oral hygiene is important for everyone, but especially when you have already developed gum disease. Brushing with a fluoride toothpaste, flossing, and using a mouthwash daily can prevent future infections. You can also improve your immune response with proper nutrition and avoiding damaging habits, such as alcohol use or smoking.
Brush and Floss Your Teeth Daily
This is one of the most effective ways to clean your teeth and ensure your gums are healthy. Without proper brushing and flossing, bacteria can hide inbetween your teeth and slowly eat away at your tooth enamel. When the infection progresses, it can lead to periodontal disease. If you do not know how to floss correctly, ask our dentists at your next visit.
Avoid Smoking and Consuming Sugary Foods
Smoking is not only dangerous for your lungs. It also affects your dental health because it weakens your immune system and, in turn, makes it hard for the body to fight gum infections.
Sugary foods can easily cause gum infection because they create a lot of acidity in your mouth. Bacteria love to stay in acidic places, meaning they will begin to multiply if you consume too much sugar. Eventually, this will cause cavities and gum problems.
Drink a Lot of Water
Water is good for maintaining your oral health and will help ensure you do not suffer from periodontal disease. Water washes away all of the food debris that may stick in your teeth and tongue. It also removes the bacteria in your mouth, keeping your gums clean and healthy.
Avoid Using One Toothbrush for Months
It is essential to replace your toothbrush at least every three months. This is because, after a few months of using your toothbrush, the bristles begin to wear off and hold potential bacteria that can cause gum disease. Also, if you have a flu or any other illness, replace your toothbrush after you are completely healed. Bacteria from your previous illness might remain in your toothbrush, leading to gum infection.
Let Us Help You Take Care of Your Gums
Here at Greashaber Dentistry, we have a team of dental professionals who will help treat your periodontal disease. To learn more about gum disease treatment, give us a call at (734) 662-1113 to schedule an appointment. |
