Gum Disease Treatment

Gum Disease TreatmentIf there's one dental health problems that should not be taken for granted, it's gum disease. So many patients put all their worries into the state of their teeth but neglect to consider just how essential the gums are for a healthy, beautiful smile. When you meet with a skilled cosmetic dentist, all structures in your mouth will be given their due.

Right now we'd like to take a look at gum disease, why gum disease is so serious, and what can be done to address the problems that are caused by gum disease.

About Gum Disease

Gum disease refers to the bacterial infection of the gums. This is caused by the same kinds of bacteria that naturally occur in the mouth and cause tooth decay.

Why Gum Disease Is So Serious

Gum disease will harm the gums, making them become irritated and painful. The gumline will recede as a result of gum disease, making the structure of a tooth beneath the gumline vulnerable to decay and damage. Left untreated, various structures of the mouth can become infected, and the overall appearance of the smile can be extremely unpleasant.

Gingivitis, Periodontitis, Advanced Periodontitis

There are three phases of gum disease:

  • Gingivitis – In this earliest stage of gum disease, many patients will notice that their gums may bleed, be swollen, or be discolored; the gums may also start to recede at this point, and there's often an issue with bad breath as well
  • Periodontitis – In this more serious stage of gum disease, the previous symptoms get worse; in addition, a patient's teeth may become loose, oddly spaced, and wobbly because of the poor quality of the gum tissue
  • Advanced Periodontitis – In this most advanced stage of gum disease, previous symptoms are far worse, and there is the chance of severe tooth misalignment, tooth loss, and infections of multiple structures in the mouth

There are restorative dentistry solutions for all of these, though acting sooner rather than later is always for the best when it comes to dental care treatments.

Treating Minor Gum Disease

For minor gum disease, patients are often given antibacterial rinses to help keep the infection in check while also maintaining good dental hygiene. Sometimes antibiotics are prescribed as well.

Addressing Serious Gum Disease

In addition to rinses and antibiotics, advances gum disease will often require major revisions of the gumline as well as the teeth. If the gums are especially swollen or in poor health, it will be necessary to manage the infection and then restore the gumline through soft tissue augmentation.

Restoring the Damage That Gum Disease Does

As mentioned, gum disease does more than affect the gums. While gum grafting will need to be done to rebuild the gumline, dental restorations may be required to treat teeth affected by gum diseases, and even tooth extraction may be required.

During your visit, we will be sure to go over all of your options for advanced dental wellness so that you can make the best decisions for your needs.

Learn More About Treating Gum Problems

For more information about gum disease and how it can be treated, be sure to contact our Wilmington dental care center today. Our team of dental health experts is eager to meet with you and help you achieve the best possible dental health through effective cosmetic and restorative care.