Gum Disease Treatment

Gum Disease Treatment | Todd Shatkin DDS | Buffalo Dentist

Gum Disease Treatment

Gum disease, also known as periodontitis, is an infection of the gums that can potentially destroy features of the mouth, including the jawbone. When you first show signs of gum disease, it’s vital to seek treatment as soon as possible. This way, if you catch it sooner, rather than later, it can be treated easier. Periodontal disease is very common, and there are about 3 million cases in the United States per year alone. Signs of gum disease include having swollen, tender, and red gums, bad breath, loose teeth, and bleeding gums. There are various forms of treatment available for gum disease, and your dentist will likely recommend one based on the stage and symptoms of your case.

Non-Surgical Treatment

When handling gum disease, there are various forms that don’t involve surgery. Typically, these non-invasive practices are best for those who don’t have an advanced stage of gum disease. Traditional non-surgical treatments include professional dental cleaning and scaling or root planing. Both of these involve a deep cleaning of the teeth and gums to remove any form of bacteria that may be present. If you have a more advanced form of gum disease, the basic non-surgical measures may not be effective for you.

Surgical Treatment

If you have a more advanced stage of gum disease, your dentist may recommend surgical measures. There are a variety of surgical treatments that you may benefit from, and your dentist will discuss all of these options with you. Some examples of surgical treatment for gum disease include pocket reduction surgery, bone grafts, and tissue regeneration. Pocket reduction surgery involves lifting the gums back and removing tartar from underneath. Bone grafts can stimulate healthy bone growth and replace bone destroyed by gum disease, therefore restoring stability. Tissue regeneration is done when supporting bone is destroyed, and the process stimulates both new tissue and bone growth. Depending on the severity of your case, your dentist may recommend one of the above treatments.

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Treatment with Medications

Treatment with medications is traditionally considered temporary, as it reduces bacteria associated with gum disease in the mouth. Some forms of medications used may include Chlorhexidine or antibacterial and fluoride-based toothpastes. Often, you won’t see a long-term improvement with just medications, so your dentist may recommend pairing a medication with either a surgical or non-surgical treatment. Hopefully, doing so will prevent any negative bacteria from reappearing in your oral cavity.

Prevent Gum Disease

After treatment, it’s important that you follow proper oral health protocol to ensure your gum disease doesn’t come back. Typically, to prevent gum disease, you should brush your teeth twice per day and floss at least once a day. This will remove plaque and bacteria from hard to reach places in your mouth.

Additionally, using mouth wash can reduce plaque by up to 20 percent. Lastly, eating a healthy diet can contribute to healthy gums. When you eat junk food and sugar, your teeth may become affected. Instead, sticking to whole foods can improve the state of your mouth. Overall, preventing gum disease is just as important as curing it.

Get Your Gum Disease Treated Today

Gum disease is no fun, it’s painful and irritating, though treatment can improve your quality of life. Finding a dentist that will treat your gum disease may be difficult, but Todd Shatkin DDS can help. Located in Buffalo, Dr. Todd Shatkin has over 30 years of experience with cosmetic and functional dental practices.

If you’re interested in learning more about how we can help treat your gum disease, contact us today! We offer free consultations where we’ll review your information and plan a course of action. Instead of living in pain and discomfort, get your gum disease treated today!

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