Gum Disease Treatment: Treating Different Stages of Gum Disease

Gum disease comparison with a healthy tooth and an unhealthy one with periodontitis and poor oral hygiene health problem as a bacteria infection diagram concept with inflammation as a 3D illustration.

A recent study has shown that nearly half of adults have gum disease, which is one of the leading causes of tooth loss. There are different stages of gum disease. There are treatments available to help prevent the condition from worsening to the stage where drastic intervention is needed.

Learn more about the treatment options for the different stages of gum disease and what you can expect from your dentist.

STAGES OF GUM DISEASE

Gum disease is caused by bacteria which leads to the inflammation of the gums, and can eventually affect the supportive bones that keep your teeth in place. If you fail to follow good oral hygiene practices, bacteria-containing plaque can form. Plaque is a substance that builds up and can cause infection in your gums and teeth.

These are the different stages of gum disease.

GINGIVITIS

Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease. Gums begin to become inflamed as a result of plaque buildup around the gumline. Bleeding gums while brushing is one of the most noticeable symptoms. Regular brushing can help clear this plaque, but only floss can remove plaque from between your teeth. It is possible to reverse gingivitis with the right care, protecting the gums and bone from damage.

PERIODONTITIS

If gingivitis is left untreated, it can progress to periodontitis, which is when the bacteria from plaque begins to damage the bone and connective tissue. It’s not possible to reverse this damage, but intervention through treatment can stop further damage.

ADVANCED PERIODONTITIS

When advanced periodontitis is present, the support system around your teeth has been severely damaged, causing your teeth to become loose or move. Gum disease treatment at this stage must focus on preserving your teeth, or they will need removal and possible replacement. Replacement options include dental implants or dentures.

Some of the most common signs of gum disease include:

• Swollen, puffy or red gums
• Bleeding when brushing your teeth
• Tender gums
• Bad breath
• Pus between teeth
• Painful chewing
• Gums appear to be receding
• A change to your bite.

GUM DISEASE TREATMENTS

Depending on the stage of gum disease, our periodontist will provide an examination and discuss the best course of treatment with you. There may be multiple treatment options depending on the stage of gum disease.

TREATING GINGIVITIS

Gingivitis is the simplest stage of gum disease to treat. Daily brushing and flossing is one way to help keep gum disease at bay, as is regular visits to your dentist. Your dentist may recommend professional teeth cleaning to help clear up plaque buildup. There are also non-surgical treatments for bleeding gums that can help remove bacteria. Your dentist will then advise you on how best to care for your teeth and gums, including any antiseptic products that can be used to help kill bacteria.

TREATING PERIODONTITIS

As periodontitis is a more advanced stage of gum disease, treatment will need to be carried out by your periodontist to keep things under control.

The main treatment aim when gum disease is at this stage is to clear the pockets of bacteria surrounding the teeth. This can help to prevent further damage to the teeth and supporting tissue. Pocket reduction and flap surgery can help give your gums a healthier base to adhere to, helping to preserve your teeth.

Your dentist may prescribe antibiotic treatments, including topical or oral antibiotics to help control bacteria.

Following initial treatment with your dentist, you will likely be given a treatment plan to follow at home. Make sure that you follow a regular oral hygiene routine to fight plaque and ensure that your teeth and gums remain healthy. Follow-up and subsequent appointments with your dentist will help to monitor your progress.

TREATING ADVANCED PERIODONTITIS

When periodontitis reaches an advanced stage, the focus of gum disease treatment is on preserving the teeth as much as possible. There are multiple steps involved in the treatment of advanced gum disease.

Our periodontist may choose to use some of the treatments detailed above to first help get rid of bacteria and infection. Dental surgery may be required to perform a tissue graft or bone graft to help regenerate the areas destroyed by bacteria. If your advanced periodontitis has permanently damaged your teeth, you may need them removed.

Our team will consider the severity of your symptoms to help provide the most appropriate treatment for you. It might take multiple visits to complete the treatment. Our periodontist will provide you with advice and follow-up care to help you maintain your teeth and gums.

COSMETIC PERIODONTAL TREATMENT

If your teeth and gums have been damaged from decay, there are gum disease treatments that can help to restore your smile and leave you feeling confident again. Cosmetic periodontal surgery includes treatments such as crown lengthening to boost the appearance of your teeth.

You can also discuss dental implant treatments to help replace missing or damaged teeth. Dental implants can transform your smile using natural-looking solutions. There are different types of cosmetic treatment that can help you enjoy your smile and improve your self-esteem too.

GUM DISEASE TREATMENT IN BATON ROUGE

If you think you could be suffering from gum disease, it’s important to make an appointment as soon as possible. At Baton Rouge Perio, we provide a range of gum disease treatments, including cosmetic treatments. From initial consultations and checkups to gum disease treatments and cosmetic dentistry, you’re in safe hands with our team. We’ll provide you with treatment recommendations, as well as at-home treatment plans to make sure you keep gum disease at bay for good.

Left untreated, gum disease can cause some serious problems for your oral health. Make an appointment to see one of our team to get your smile taken care of for a healthier mouth. Contact us today to make an appointment.