Your Essential Guide to Treating Gum Disease
Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the gums and bones that support teeth. A recent study from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention showed that over 70% of Americans, 65 and older, have Periodontitis.
This article will outline all your best options for treating gum disease.
Table of Contents
Influential Factors in Treating Gum Disease
There are several elements that can aid in the development of periodontal disease. Poor oral hygiene and an unhealthy diet are the main contributors to the disease. Common factors that aid in disease progression are:
- Certain Medications: A common side effect of popular medications is dry mouth. Decreased saliva flow leads to increased bacteria activity.
- Systemic Diseases: Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes, and Rheumatoid Arthritis have a direct link to oral health. Gum inflammation can exacerbate these diseases.
- Unhealthy Food Choices: Bacteria in the mouth consume fermentable carbohydrates and produce acid. This acid weakens enamel and causes gum inflammation.
- Clenching and Grinding (Bruxism): This habit can lead to gum recession and bone loss. Over time, the gum pockets will deepen and aid in periodontal disease progression.
Treating Gum Disease: the Mouth is the Gateway to the Body
Understanding that the mouth is the gateway to the body is very helpful when thinking about treating gum disease. Many factors that are seemingly unrelated can play a large factor in treating gum disease.
Here are some of the conditions that can play a roll in gum disease:
- Diabetes: Unstable diabetes causes improper wound healing, making it harder to control periodontal disease. Gum disease also makes it harder for diabetic patients to control their blood sugar. Stabilizing diabetes and blood sugar levels is very important for treating gum disease. For more information, check out our Diabetes and Oral Health article.
- Heart Disease & Stroke: Inflammation and infection caused by bacteria in the mouth can enter the bloodstream having access to the whole body.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: Periodontal disease causes inflammation in the mouth which can trigger an inflammatory response in the body.
- Cancer: Gum disease aids in abnormal cell growth. Studies have shown a correlation between gum disease and lung cancer, esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, and colon cancer.
- Respiratory Disease: Bacteria that live in the mouth are correlated to respiratory problems because they can be aspirated aiding in disease.
- Osteoporosis: This bone-weakening disease can occur in the jaw bone and surrounding bone structure that supports the teeth.
- Alzheimer’s Disease: Studies have shown a link to the bacteria involved in gum disease that aids in the progression of Alzheimer’s.
Treating Gum Disease in the Dental Chair
Your dental team will use several indicators to diagnose periodontal disease during your cleanings and exams. Usually, the first sign is the color of your gums and how much they bleed. Infected gums will be darker in color and bleed very easily.
- Periodontal Probing: Using a small instrument with a ruler at the end, your dental professional will measure your gum pockets. This only takes a few minutes and is done routinely at dental cleanings.
- Dental X-rays: Visualizing bone loss is very important to periodontal disease diagnosis and future stability. These images will also show certain infections in the mouth.
Scaling and Root Planing
After diagnosis, your dental team will schedule an appointment called Scaling and Root Planing. This is a deep cleaning that will remove the plaque, calculus (hardened plaque), and bacteria above and below the gumline. It is common to need a deep cleaning every three years to keep this bad bacteria in check.
- The dentist or dental hygienist will numb the teeth and gums to ensure the patient is comfortable.
- The dental clinician will use a combination of metal and ultrasonic instruments to complete the cleaning. They might not polish or floss at this time.
- Depending on the severity of the disease, the deep cleaning may be broken up into 1 to 4 appointments that are usually 1-2 hours long.
When treating gum disease, your dental team may recommend using additional tools during the Scaling and Root Planing appointment and maintenance cleanings.
- Antibiotics: Your dental clinician may place a slow-released antibiotic that stays in the infected gum pocket to help fight bacteria in the gum tissue and promote healing.
- Laser Therapy: The precise laser will help draw out bacteria from your gums and control bleeding levels. This will also promote healing.
After Care of Scaling and Root Planing
Minor discomfort is normal after Scaling and Root Planing. It takes time for your body to heal. Here are some things to think about:
- You should wait to chew until the numbing medicine wears off to avoid biting your cheek, tongue, and lip. Choose soft foods and avoid cold temperatures as needed. Some cold sensitivity is normal and your dental clinician may recommend a Fluoride treatment to help.
- If needed, over-the-counter medications can help with any discomfort. Your dental team can help recommend what will work best for you.
- Most importantly, maintain good home care every day to control your aggressive bacteria.
Treatment for Gum Disease at Home
Unfortunately, there is no cure for chronic periodontal disease. The good news is you can stabilize it with the help of your dental team and continued good oral hygiene practices. Here’s a list of the best treatment for gum disease at home options:
- Control the bacteria daily by brushing 2 times a day and flossing at night. Using an electric toothbrush, thicker floss, and possibly a water flosser will help. Your dental professional can recommend dental products that can help.
- In order to maintain stability, it’s important to schedule dental cleanings called Periodontal Maintenance every 3 months. This is when the aggressive bacteria reestablish peaks in the mouth and potentially start the destruction process again.
- Keeping your immune system healthy, reducing stress, and maintaining stability in any systemic diseases you have will help keep your gum disease stable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you make gum disease go away?
The early stages of gum disease are reversible. Symptoms include red, swollen gums that bleed when they are cleaned. This is healed through daily brushing, flossing, and routine dental cleanings.
The late stages of gum disease, called Periodontal disease, are chronic and cannot be reserved. It can be maintained through meticulous home care habits and dental cleanings every 3-4 months. Your dental professional will help you create a protocol for your unique oral health status.
How do I get rid of gum disease ASAP?
As stated above, gum disease can only be reversed in the early stages. The quickest way to get rid of the early stage of gum disease is through a dental cleaning.
Your dental hygienist will remove all old plaque, calculus (tartar), and bacteria. This gives you a fresh start for good oral hygiene habits that include daily brushing and flossing.
How can I treat gum disease at home?
Treating gum disease at home depends on what stage you have. Preventative care is key to preventing and possibly reversing gum disease.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle and have good oral hygiene practices. This includes daily brushing 2x/day for 2 minutes, flossing at night, and using anti-gingivitis products.
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Visit our Take Home Smile store for educational brochures and other fun printables to help with oral hygiene. All products can be customized to fit your dental needs.
