Gum Treatment

The gums, ligaments, and bone around the teeth form the foundation for teeth.  All structures are also referred to as the periodontium.  When the periodontium is not healthy, it jeopardizes the stability of the teeth. Signs of unhealthy periodontium (gum/periodontal disease) may be:

• Gums that bleed when brushing or flossing
• Gums that are red, puffy, swollen or tender
• Gums that have pulled away from your teeth creating a space or pocket
• Changes in the way your teeth come together when biting
• Pus around the teeth and/or gums
• Chronic bad breath or bad taste in your mouth
• Receding gums

Any of these signs may indicate gum disease.  But with the proper care, it may be possible to stabilize or maintain the condition of the teeth and gums.  Appropriate gum treatments involve a deep cleaning or root planing done under local anesthetic along with local antibiotic agents.  If the gum disease gets too severe it may need to be treated through surgery or extraction.  This is why it is important to get it treated at the first sign of a problem.

Root Planing-

The objective of root planing is to control the infection by eliminating the bacteria that contribute to periodontal disease.  The sources include plaque, tartar (calculus), and toxins that can form under the gums on root surfaces.  Root planing involves removing the plaque and calculus below the gumline in the deep pockets.  This procedure usually involves local anesthesia to reduce pain.  Scalers and ultrasonic instruments are the primary tools used to clean the pockets.  Usually several appointments are necessary in order to complete treatment.  After scaling and root planing, the gums begin to heal and tighten against the tooth again.  Good home care (brushing, flossing, mouthrinsing) is key in maintaining the health of the periodontium.  

Recently it has been thought that gum disease is linked to overall health.   There are advancing studies trying to determine whether there is a relationship between periodontal disease and:

• An increased risk of heart attack or stroke
• An increased risk of delivering preterm, low birth weight babies
• Difficulty controlling blood sugar levels

Regardless of the outcome, taking care of your teeth should be a top priority to reduce the potential effects of your overall health. So get to brushing and flossing!