Gum disease, or periodontitis, is an infection in your gums. It can lead to serious oral health concerns such as painful and bleeding gums, chewing difficulty, and permanent tooth loss. Learn more about what causes it and how you can work with your dentist to treat it in the following guide.

What Causes It

Gum disease typically results from inadequate oral hygiene. The mouth is full of bacteria that feed on lingering food particles. Left alone, the bacteria clump together in a white film called plaque, which eventually hardens into tartar. Extensive tartar can infiltrate the gumline and cause an infection.

If you don’t brush or floss properly, tartar forms. Only a professional cleaning at a dentist office can remove tartar buildup.

Additionally, some risk factors may make you more likely to experience excess oral bacteria:

• smoking
• hormonal changes in women because of puberty, pregnancy, and menopause
• diabetes
• genetics
• medication that reduces saliva

How It’s Treated

For beginning symptoms, combat the infection by brushing your teeth twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily. See your dentist on the schedule they recommend for cleanings and checkups.

Treating more serious periodontitis involves killing the infection. Your dentist may prescribe medications to treat the bacteria, such as an antimicrobial mouthwash or an antibiotic gel or antiseptic chip to apply in infected gum pockets. 

Your dentist may also need to remove the excessive plaque buildup with scaling and root planing. Scaling involves inserting a thin metal instrument between the gumline and the tooth. They may also use an ultrasonic water sprayer; the metal tip vibrates to chip off the tartar while the water flushes it away.

Root planing uses the same technique deeper inside to smooth out the surface of the tooth’s root, which allows the gums to reattach properly. 

If you’re dealing with gum disease, turn to Stephen R. Ho, DDS, for treatment in Honolulu, HI. The dentist has more than 30 years of experience in preventive and cosmetic dentistry, including scaling and root planing. Learn more about the practice’s services online, and call (808) 949-4288 to schedule an appointment.