Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease or periodontitis, is a bacterial infection that inflames the soft tissue around your teeth and becomes more severe if left untreated. Over time, gum disease will erode the bone that supports your teeth, leading to tooth mobility and loss.
Depending on the stage of progression, gum disease causes red, swollen, tender, receding, and bleeding gums, periodontal pockets, halitosis, pus-filled abscesses, gapping, and changes in bite. When prevention is no longer an option, especially in the later stages when damage is permanent, nonsurgical and surgical treatments are available to reduce the effects of gum disease.
Gum Disease Treatments
Treatment is always going to be dependent on the stage of gum disease. There are many options available, both nonsurgical and surgical.
Nonsurgical Treatments
- Antibiotics: Oral antibiotics, either in pill or topical form, may be enough to fight off infection.
- Scaling and root planing: Similar to a routine dental cleaning, SRP cleans much deeper. Local anesthesia will need to be used to numb your gums while your dental hygienist cleans away bacteria underneath your gum line and smooths the tooth roots to prevent further plaque and bacteria from accumulating beneath your gum line.