Eliminating_Gum_Disease

Eliminating Gum Disease
Your dentist may have informed you that you have some form of periodontal disease; you're not
alone - millions of adults in the U.S. currently suffer from some type of this disease.
Periodontitis ranges from mild gum irritation to a much more severe form which can potentially
cause the permanent loss of bone tissue, and eventually, the teeth themselves. The care that you
give to your teeth and gums has a critical impact on whether gum disease will worsen, slow, or
be stopped altogether.
Unlike other dental problems which are often identified with pain, many patients do not exhibit
symptoms of periodontal disease until they are well past their 30th birthday! However, teenagers
can sometimes get the milder form of gum disease, which is called gingivitis. Infection control is
usually the primary focus of treatment, which varies by type and the amount required, depending
on severity. The ultimate success of any treatment option depends squarely on how well the
patient is maintaining proper home-based care. To that end, your friendly dentist, Dr. Vanama,
may offer advice about certain lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, to ensure the patient
understands the steps of how to get rid of gum disease.
Here's a few of the many treatments available here at Discovery Dental:
Deep Cleaning (Scaling and Root Planing)
Scaling & root planing is a procedure where your dentist, periodontist, or dental hygienist
removes embedded plaque and tartar from your teeth both above and below the gum line, while
root planing smooths over gritty spots on the roots of teeth, which give refuge to harmful
bacteria. Occasionally, a Laser treatment is used instead of traditional hardware, thereby
reducing discomfort and inflammation after treatment.
Medications
Used alongside scaling and root planing, medications can help improve the likelihood of
treatment success. The degree of severity of the disease may still require a surgical treatment
option. Some of the more common medications and their uses are listed below:
• Prescription oral rinse: This is used similar to the mouthwash you have at home, and it's
an antimicrobial rinse containing chlorhexidine. It controls the spread of bacteria following a
gum surgery and for the treatment of gingivitis.
• Oral antibiotics: Usually in capsule form, these are taken for a brief period to treat
stubborn periodontal infections.
• Antiseptic chip: A tiny slice of gelatin containing a time-released dose of the antibacterial
salve chlorhexidine is inserted into the pockets following a scaling and root planing treatment.

This helps to slow or stop the spread of disease-causing bacteria, and help periodontal pockets to
heal slightly over an extended period of time.
• Microspheres (Arestin®): Scores of miniscule pellets containing minocycline
hydrochloride, which feature a gradual time-release of antibiotics to control infection. They are
inserted into the pockets which have formed between the teeth and gums following a scaling and
root planing procedure.
Dental Surgeries
• Flap Surgery: Your dentist or periodontist may determine that the severity of infection
made medications and deep cleaning ineffective. This type of surgery involves peeling back the
gum tissue from the teeth to alter the periodontal pockets next to the teeth and/or eliminate deepseated
tartar. Afterward, sutures are used to get the gums to fit securely around the teeth, and as
the gums heal, they'll return to a tight fit around the tooth.
• Bone and Tissue Graft: Gum and bone tissue which has been permanently lost will be
restored through an advanced procedure, usually accompanying a flap surgery. Your dentist, may
use synthetic or natural bone to fill in damaged areas, which may help promote regrowth. Guided
tissue regeneration is a procedure where your dentist will sandwich a tiny slice of mesh between
the gums and bone structure, preventing gum tissue from expanding into the places where bone
is being replaced.
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