Gum disease is a serious oral health complication. Extensive tissue damage, infections, and tooth loss are a few possible consequences. The following will help you understand your treatment options, so you can seek timely care from your dentist.

Your Guide to Gum Disease Treatments

How Is It Diagnosed?

Gum disease—formally called periodontal disease—begins as gingivitis. This common issue is caused by plaque build-up around the gum line. The tissue then becomes inflamed and may bleed.

When the plaque begins building up below the gum line, periodontitis will follow. This will create pockets between your teeth and gums. A dentist will check to see if pockets are deeper than 4 millimeters—the standard measurement for gum disease. If the condition remains untreated, decay-causing bacteria will attack the tooth roots and weaken the tissue, possibly resulting in tooth loss.

How Can It Be Treated Surgically?

Surgical options depend on the severity of the disease and your health needs. If you’ve lost significant gum tissue, the dentist will remove tissue from the roof of your mouth and graft it in weak areas.

The dentist will also need to clean the roots of your teeth to stop the infection. They often do this by making small incisions in your gums and lifting the flap so they can expose the roots. They’ll remove plaque and may also smooth and re-shape the root so it will reattach to the gum tissue.

What Is the Nonsurgical Option?

Late-stage gingivitis and early-stage periodontitis may be treated with at-home care and medications and antibiotics to resolve the infection. If the condition has only advanced slightly, your dentist may perform a scaling treatment. This is a deep cleaning where they remove tartar and bacteria from below the gum line. During this process, they may also plane the roots to help them reattach to the gums.

If you’re dealing with gum disease or other oral health issues, Comfort Family Dentistry of Cohoes, NY, will help. This practice is led by Dr. Thomas M. Patregnani, who has over 35 years of experience. His team offers a number of services, including cosmetic dentistry, and uses the latest technologies for their treatments. Call (518) 235-3862 to schedule a dental cleaning and visit their website to learn more about the practice.