Overcome Gum Disease with Effective Periodontal Treatments

Your mouth may look simple, but it hosts billions of bacteria, both good and bad. We play host to the bacteria’s entire cycle from birth and reproducing to death. Icky as it sounds, our mouths need good bacteria, but bad bacteria come along for the ride. When harmful bacteria pitch tents in your mouth, they cause gum infection (periodontitis)—a severe condition that inflames your gums and eventually causes tooth loss.

Fortunately, periodontal disease is preventable and treatable to a certain extent. You are in the right place if you suspect you have a gum infection. At Innovative Dental Care, we are happy to offer you a full consultation to help you overcome gum disease for a healthy mouth.

Understanding gum disease and prevention

The root cause of most cases of gum disease is plaque. This sticky film of bacteria develops when you don’t observe optimal dental hygiene. When food particles aren’t eliminated from your mouth, they mix with saliva and bacteria to form plaque. Plaque can cause gingivitis—an early form of gum disease—characterized by bleeding, inflamed, and swollen gums.

If plaque isn’t removed, it hardens into tartar (calculus). Tartar forms beneath your gum line, and you need the help of a dentist to get rid of it. If tartar is left for long on your teeth and gums, it contains bacteria that infiltrate your gums and bone-supporting structures. At this stage, you have periodontitis and need more advanced periodontal care to restore your gums to their former state.

The good thing is that gum disease doesn’t have to wreak havoc on your oral health. By observing the following tips, you can keep gum infections at bay:

• Brush your teeth twice a day
• Floss daily
• Limit sugar intake and increase water intake
• See your dentist every six months
• Use an antiseptic mouthwash
• Avoid smoking or chewing tobacco

Treating gum disease

If you have gum disease, you don’t always need invasive treatments to overcome the infection. The early form of gum disease (gingivitis) can be reversed by brushing and flossing alongside professional dental cleaning. However, you may need more intervention if you have mild to severe periodontitis. Treatments for advanced gum disease include:

• Deep Teeth Cleaning: The dentist uses scaling and root planing procedures to eliminate gum disease-causing bacteria. Scaling removes plaque and tartar below and above the gums, while root planing smooths out your gums to encourage the reattachment of healthy tissues.
• Antibiotic Therapy: We use oral and topical antibiotics to help you get rid of the gum infection.
• PerioProtect: Your dentist may prescribe custom-made trays to deliver treatment precisely into your gums.
• Laser Gum Treatment: Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP) uses laser technology to eliminate infected tissue while leaving the healthy tissues intact.
• Grafting: If gum disease has “eaten away” your gums and bone, you need grafting to restore your healthy tissues.

Would you like to overcome gum disease in Omaha, Nebraska? Please dial (402) 933-8005 to book an appointment with Innovative Dental Care. We offer a wide range of periodontal treatments to help you win the battle against gum disease.