Introduction:
Gum disease is an infection of the tissues around and supporting the teeth. Periodontal (gum) disease can occur in mild, moderate or severe forms, and without treatment can become advanced periodontitis. This can cause serious damage to your gums, bones and other structures that support your teeth. It is important to treat gum disease in its early stages and to maintain periodontal health with regular preventive care from your dentist or dental hygienist. In this article, we will discuss the best treatments for advanced gum disease.
Periodontal Maintenance:
Periodontal maintenance is essential for controlling and preventing gum disease. Periodontal maintenance involves regular deep cleaning of the teeth, including scaling and root planing. This helps to remove plaque and tartar buildup that can irritate the gums and lead to inflammation. Additionally, your dentist may recommend antibiotics to treat the infection and reduce inflammation. It is important that periodontal maintenance be done on a regular basis in order to maintain healthy gums and protect against further damage from advanced gum disease.
1. Scaling & Root Planing:
Scaling and root planing is a procedure where plaque and tartar are removed from the teeth, below the gum line. This allows your dentist to remove bacteria that can cause inflammation of your gums. Scaling and root planing may be done as part of a regular preventive care visit, or as part of treatment for advanced gum disease.
2. Antibacterial Therapy:
Your dentist may recommend antibiotics to help treat and prevent bacterial infections that can cause inflammation of your gums. Antibiotics can be taken orally or may be applied directly to the gums. Depending on the severity of your gum disease, your dentist may recommend a combination of periodontal maintenance and antibiotics to help maintain healthy gums.
3. Periodontal Cleanings:
In addition to regular preventive care visits, your dentist or hygienist may recommend more frequent periodontal cleanings. Periodontal cleanings involve removing plaque and tartar from the teeth, and may be done more frequently if you have advanced gum disease. Periodontal cleanings help to remove bacteria that can cause inflammation of your gums and lead to further damage.
Conclusion:
Advanced gum disease can cause serious damage to your gums, bones and other structures that support your teeth. It is important to treat gum disease in its early stages and to maintain periodontal health with regular preventive care from your dentist or dental hygienist. Periodontal maintenance is essential for controlling and preventing gum disease, and may include scaling and root planing, antibacterial therapy, and more frequent periodontal cleanings. By following these treatments, you can protect your gums and maintain healthy teeth and gums.
FAQs:
- What is Periodontal Maintenance?
Periodontal maintenance is essential for controlling and preventing gum disease. It involves regular deep cleaning of the teeth, including scaling and root planing, as well as antibiotics to reduce inflammation and treat the infection.
- How often should Periodontal Maintenance be done?
It is important that periodontal maintenance be done on a regular basis in order to maintain healthy gums and protect against further damage from advanced gum disease. Your dentist or hygienist can provide more specific recommendations based on your individual needs.
- What are Periodontal Cleanings?
Periodontal cleanings involve removing plaque and tartar from the teeth, and may be done more frequently if you have advanced gum disease. Periodontal cleanings help to remove bacteria that can cause inflammation of your gums and lead to further damage.
