Gum Disease Treatment

gum-disease-treatment-cheltenham Bleeding gums. Bad Breath. These are just some obvious indications that your gums may not be healthy.

In the past, maintaining the health of gums has been underestimated.

However, as the number of studies that show the link between gum health and body has been increasing, more people become aware of the importance of keeping healthy gums.

Gum disease can be caused by different factors; however, the most common of all is poor dental care.

If you are showing signs of gum disease, visit us here at Captivate Dental for the comprehensive diagnosis and treatment planning of your condition.

Stages of Gum Disease

There are two types of gum disease:

Z Gingivitis

This stage is the first and mild stage of periodontal disease. This is where the gums become red, swollen, and shiny and bleed easily due to build-up of plaque and tartar.

Gingivitis is still reversible, as, during this stage, no damage or deeper parts of teeth, gums or bone have been damaged. Proper oral hygiene habits and regular dental visits can treat gingivitis.

Z Periodontitis

If gingivitis is not treated, it can lead to periodontitis, the advanced and damaging stage of gum disease.

During this stage, the covering of the tooth root as well as the bone and fibres that connect the tooth root to the bone has been affected, which makes the condition irreversible.

If not treated, the gums that holding the tooth can become damaged, making the teeth to become loose and may require removal.

With good dental care and professional treatment, the symptoms of periodontitis can be improved and prevent it from progressing.

Warning Signs of Gum Disease

Gum disease is painless, but you can easily spot the condition if you notice some or all of the following symptoms:

Gums bleed easily and regularly
Persistent bad breath
Bad taste in the mouth
Red, swollen, tender gums
Receding gums
White spots or plaque on your gums
Loose teeth
Separating teeth
Noticeable change with the fitting of your teeth together

Treatment for Gum Disease

At Captivate Dental, we may recommend the following procedures to treat your gingivitis or periodontitis:

Z Scale and clean

The dentist will start with scaling and root planning (deep clean) to remove the plaque and tartar build-up above and below the gum line. With deep cleaning, the gums are left clean and free of plaque, so your gums can reattach to your teeth.

Z Local antibiotics

This may be needed to kill harmful bacteria that exist in your gums. The antibiotic may be in powder form and placed on the gums directly following the scale and clean procedure. The antibiotic will continue to kill the bacteria for several weeks.

Z Gum surgery

For gums that are severely unhealthy or damaged, the dentist may need to perform gum surgery to effectively treat the problem. The procedure involves the removal of the unhealthy gum tissue in which a healthy tissue will be placed on the treated area.

Z Gum graft surgery

This is another surgical treatment for advanced gum disease. In gum graft surgery, the dentist will use a new tissue or bone to treat the affected gums. The procedure also covers the exposed tooth roots and prevent further recession of the gums, resulting in healthier teeth and gums.