Gum Diseases, also known as periodontal diseases, are usually caused by a build-up of bacteria and plaque that inflames and infects the gums. Plaque is a clear film on the teeth to which bacteria sticks, and if it's not removed with brushing and flossing, it will turn into a hard material called tartar. Tartar and bacteria deposits around and under the gum line are the main causes of periodontal diseases.
Types of Periodontal Diseases
There are two types of periodontal disease: gingivitis and periodontitis.
- Gingivitis is a milder form of gum disease, in which gums become red, swollen, and may bleed easily.
- Periodontitis is a much more serious oral health condition in which the inflammation spreads deep below the gum line and involves the bone and tissues that hold teeth in place. Periodontitis can cause deep pockets of infection, which may result in the loss of teeth and their surrounding bone if it's left untreated.
Fortunately, there are several procedures available to treat these oral health problems, depending on the severity of the disease.
The primary goal of any treatment for periodontal disease is to control and eliminate the tartar and bacterial infection around the teeth and under the gums. Treatments range from deep cleanings to oral surgery.
Periodontal Disease Prevention
The best ways to prevent gingivitis from graduating to periodontitis are to:
- Brush your teeth after every meal.
- Floss at least once a day.
- Eat a balanced diet.
- Avoid tobacco products.
- Get regular dental checkups and cleanings.
Periodontal Disease Treatments
Scaling and root planing. The first step in treating periodontal diseases is a deep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing. In this procedure, your dentist, a periodontist, or a dental hygienist will remove the tartar and plaque from your teeth by scraping it off above and below your gum lines. Then root planing is used to eliminate rough spots on your exposed tooth roots -- the area where bacteria accumulates.
Your oral health professional may also recommend a medication to treat any infection you may have. Medications for oral infections include:
- Rinses. A prescription antimicrobial mouth rinse can help control bacteria when treating gingivitis and after gum surgery.
- Antibiotic gel. A gel containing the antibiotic doxycycline can also control the bacteria involved in gingivitis. It's placed directly into the pockets around your teeth after a deep cleaning and slowly releases the medication over a week's time.
- Antibiotic microspheres. To control bacteria and reduce the size of periodontal pockets, small round particles that contain minocycline, an antibiotic similar to doxycycline, are inserted into the pockets after a deep cleaning and release medicine over time.
- Chlorhexidine chip. These are tiny piece of antiseptic-filled gelatin that are placed in the pockets around your gums after root planing. They can help control the bacteria involved in periodontal diseases and reduce the size of periodontal pockets as they slowly dissolves.
- Oral doxycycline. When taken in pill form, this antibiotic acts as an enzyme suppressant that interferes with bacterial tissue damage. Doxycycline is usually prescribed in addition to deep cleaning.
Most people who are treated with scaling and root planing probably won't need additional treatment if they maintain good oral health habits. But when gingivitis doesn't respond to deep cleaning, periodontitis can develop, and it usually requires oral surgery.
Surgery. There are two types of surgery for periodontal diseases, including:
- Pocket reduction. Also known as flap surgery, this procedure is recommended when your gums have pulled away from your teeth, forming pockets that are too deep to keep clean. A periodontist will fold back your gum tissue to remove any bacteria before securing the tissue for a snug fit around your teeth.
- Tissue and bone grafts. If you have pocket-reduction surgery, your periodontist might also suggest tissue or bone grafts to encourage regrowth of gum tissue and bone that was destroyed by periodontitis. One procedure entails placing a small piece of mesh fabric between the gum and bone to keep the gums from growing where there should be bone. This procedure allows connective tissue and bone to regrow. Soft tissue grafts are used when gums have receded to a point that the roots are exposed. In this procedure, gum tissue is taken from the roof of your mouth (or another area) and used to cover the exposed root.
All of these treatments can have good outcomes and may not require further surgery. But most patients with periodontal diseases will require ongoing maintenance therapy to maintain good oral health. The number of times you'll need any of these therapies depends on the severity of your gum disease and how diligent you are about keeping up with your oral health routines at home.