Gum disease treatment begins with the hygienist removing plaque and tartar from teeth above and below the gum line. This can reverse gingivitis.
Medications — either topical or oral — can control infection and reduce bacteria that cause inflammation. Chlorhexidine (Peridex, PerioChip) is available by prescription as a mouth rinse or slow-release chip that works in gum pockets to reduce bacteria.
Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is a nonsurgical, deep cleaning of your teeth and roots. It involves removing plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line, as well as smoothing rough surfaces of the roots. This removes bacteria that cause infection and helps your gum tissue reattach to your teeth. It also removes stains from your teeth and gives you fresher breath.
This procedure is important for people with periodontitis, the advanced form of gum disease treatment Baltimore MD that causes pockets to develop. The pockets trap bacteria, which can lead to tooth and bone loss if not treated.
In addition to scaling and root planing, you may need other treatments such as antibiotic mouth rinses or gels, which get rid of the bacteria that caused the infection; a tissue-stimulating protein, which encourages your own gum tissue to grow back; or flap surgery, in which tiny cuts are made in your gums to lift them away from the teeth, allowing us to better clean the pockets; or bone and tooth grafts, in which we transplant healthy tissue to replace damaged areas.
Antibiotics
When the disease progresses to periodontitis, the bacteria move deeper under the gum line where pockets form. These pockets fill with plaque, tartar and bacteria and eat away at the bone and tissue that hold teeth in place. This leads to tooth loss and can affect other health problems, such as heart disease.
At this stage, the gums are swollen and bleed easily. Hormonal changes from pregnancy, puberty or menopause can make gums more sensitive. Some medicines that reduce saliva also can lead to gingivitis, as can smoking.
Antibiotics come in pills or liquid that you swallow and creams or ointments that you apply to your mouth or skin. They can be either bactericidal (kill the bacteria) or bacteriostatic (stop them from growing). You need a prescription for oral antibiotics in the United States, but some topical antibiotics are available over the counter. It is important to finish the full course of antibiotics as stopping them before the infection is gone increases the likelihood that bacteria will become resistant to the medication.
Bone Grafts
Bone grafts rebuild lost bone density in the jaw, making it possible for dental implants and other restorative treatments to be successful. They can also improve tooth stability, decrease pain, and reduce the risk of further gum tissue recession.
During this procedure, bone material is transplanted into the jaw area that has been destroyed by periodontitis. Sometimes this bone is harvested from another area of the mouth or body — such as the hip or tibia (shin bone). Other times, artificial bone substitute material is used.
This material may be shaped to fit into the jaw area, and it is typically secured using sutures. After the surgery, it is important to follow your provider’s post-op instructions. In general, this means applying ice packs to reduce swelling, eating soft foods, and taking appropriate pain medications. Your provider will give you specific instructions based on the type of bone graft that you are receiving. The graft will take time to heal, but it will eventually integrate into the jaw bone and provide support for restorations such as dental implants.
Soft Tissue Grafts
Soft tissue grafts address the loss of gum tissue that occurs with gum disease treatment Baltimore MD. When gum tissue is lost, it exposes the roots of your teeth which makes hot and cold food more uncomfortable, increases the risk of tooth decay, and changes the aesthetics of your smile.
The goal of soft tissue grafts is to cover and protect the roots, which helps reduce sensitivity and make teeth appear longer. This procedure can also thicken and strengthen the existing gum tissues to halt further tissue loss.
There are two types of soft tissue grafts: free gingival and pedicle grafts. The most common technique involves raising a flap of tissue from the adjacent area and stitching it to the affected site. This method allows the tissue to maintain its blood supply, reducing discomfort and healing time. In some cases, the periodontist may recommend an allograft, which uses medically processed tissue from a donor. This technique is more convenient because it does not require a second surgical site.
