Gum
Disease
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum
disease describes bacterial growth and production of factors
that gradually destroy the tissue surrounding the teeth and
your gums.
Gum
disease begins with plaque, which is always present on
your teeth, without your knowledge. When it expand to excessive
level, it can harden into a substance called tartar (calculus)
in next 24 hours. Tartar is so tightly attached to teeth that
it can be removed only during a professional cleaning.
Gum
disease begins with plaque, which is always present on
your teeth, without your knowledge. When it expand to excessive
level, it can harden into a substance called tartar (calculus)
in next 24 hours. Tartar is so tightly attached to teeth that
it can be removed only during a professional cleaning.
Gingivitis
A
mild inflammation of the gums caused by plaque. Gums may be
red and sore, and bleed while brushing and flossing.
Periodontitis
If
gingivitis is left untreated the gum infection damages the
supporting bone and gum tissues. The gum swells and separates
from the tooth, and the bone deteriorate.
Treatment
for Gum diseases
The
goal of gum treatment is to control the infection that exists
and stop the disease. Treatment options involve home care
that includes healthy eating, proper brushing and flossing,
and non-surgical therapy that controls the growth of harmful
bacteria.
Although
brushing and flossing are equally important, brushing eliminates
only the plaque from the surfaces of the teeth where the brush
can reach. Flossing, on the other hand, removes plaque that
is present in between the teeth and under the gum line. Some
dentists also recommend specialized toothbrushes those have
smaller heads, which may be a more effective method of removing
plaque than a standard toothbrush.
If
the dentist determines that the gums have receded from the
teeth, the standard treatment is an intensive deep-cleaning,
non-surgical method called scaling and root planing (SRP).
Scaling scrapes the plaque and tartar present in the gumline.
Root planing helps to remove bacteria that can contribute
to the disease and smoothes rough spots on the tooth. This
smooth, clean surface helps allow the gums to reattach to
the teeth.
Opinions
about which treatment methods to use vary in the periodontal
field. For some people, certain procedures may be safer, more
effective, and more comfortable but some may find it difficult.
Which treatment your dentist suggests will most likely depend
on how far your disease has progressed, and how you have responded
to earlier treatments.
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