Even if you follow a good oral care routine, you may face gum related pains or diseases. You can prevent the consequences of gum disease by getting the right treatment at the early stage of a disease itself. In this blog, we will talk about periodontal diseases, how they occur, and how you can deal with such issues.
So, what exactly periodontal disease is? Well, periodontal disease is nothing but gum disease. It is the most common cause of tooth loss in adults. However, there is nothing to distress as nowadays various dental treatment options are available to treat the symptoms of various periodontal diseases.
Why does gum disease occur?
Most gum diseases are a result of excessive plaque. It is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth. Not cleaning the plaque properly can cause your gums to swell, separating them from your teeth. Once plaque gets stuck in these pockets, it becomes very difficult to remove it with a regular dental hygiene routine. This accumulation of plaque on the surface of your teeth can result in gum disease.
Ways to treat gum disease
Early detection of gum disease can help dentists to control the existing condition from getting worse with the right treatment at the right time. Some of the best ways to treat gum disease are:
- Change in oral care routine
First and foremost, it is important to change your current oral care routine. Do proper care and follow a healthy lifestyle. Follow all the instructions given by your dentist for oral care.
- Scaling and root planing Procedure
Another best way is scaling and root planing. Scaling is a dental process in which your dentist will remove all the plaque and tartar accumulated above and below the gum line. He will deep clean all the corners of your mouth including the bottom of the pocket.
After cleaning, the dentist will perform root planing. It is a process in which he will smooth out the teeth roots to allow gums to reattach to your teeth. It may take more than one visit to complete the scaling and root planing procedure.
- PerioProtect treatment
PerioProtect is a highly advanced and effective treatment in which a special tray system is used to hold medicine under the gum for the purpose of killing bacteria. The treatment option is available as at-home use and Perio Laser Therapy. For at-home use, the dentist will take a mold of your mouth to create a customized set of trays. After it gets ready, the dentist will check it for precision fit and give it to you for at-home use.
In the case of Perio Laser Therapy, the dentist will use a laser to access and remove the inflamed gum tissue from around your tooth’s root. He will also remove plaque and tartar accumulated below and around your gum line.
After a thorough cleaning, with the help of different tools, the dentist will smooth out any rough spots above and below the gum line. This will help to reduce the chances of your teeth and gums attracting more bacteria again and getting infections. This laser therapy helps patients get the required treatment without going for gum surgery.
What to do when a tooth falls out due to gum disease?
When a tooth falls out due to gum disease, you can opt for a dental implant procedure to restore your smile.
A dental implant is a surgical procedure in which your tooth roots will be replaced with metal, screw-like posts. An artificial tooth will be placed in the place of damaged or missing teeth that looks and functions much like a natural tooth. Receiving a dental implant surgery depends on:
- Type of implant required
- The condition of your jawbone
To receive dental implant surgery, you must have a strong jawbone that can fully support the metal post of the implant. It is important to take immediate action after tooth loss otherwise you may have to deal with a situation of extensive bone decay. Though this will not prevent you from getting a dental implant, it may add up extra steps to the implantation process including bone grafting to rebuild the jaw.
What you must know about dental implant surgery?
Dental implant surgery involves several procedures. It is a process that requires the bone to heal properly around the implant. Since bone healing requires time, the surgery is performed in various stages and may take a few months. The entire process of placing a dental implant involves the following steps:
- Removal of the damaged tooth
- Jawbone preparation using grafting method, if required
- Placement of dental implant
- Bone growth and healing
- Abutment placement
- Placement of artificial tooth
To place the dental implant during the surgery, the surgeon will make a cut to open your gums and expose the bone. He will drill the holes deep into the bone where the dental implant metal post will be placed. It is a kind of temporary denture that you can remove for cleaning or while you sleep.
After the metal implant post is placed in your jawbone, the dentist will wait for bone growth. During this waiting time, the jawbone will grow and unite with the surface of the dental implant. This process may take several months but the final result will be a solid base for your new artificial tooth.
When the bone growth process completes, additional surgery may be required to place the abutment. It is a piece where the crown will eventually attach. After placing the abutment, it takes around two weeks for the gums to get healed completely. Once your gums heal, the dentist will take impressions of your mouth and remaining teeth. These impressions will be used to prepare the crown. A crown is a natural-looking artificial tooth. You and your dentist can choose a crown that is removable, fixed or a combination of both.
Since dental implants integrate well into the jawbone structure, they are very much stable. Moreover, they look and feel much like your own natural teeth.
How to improve your smile with cosmetic procedures?
Nowadays, there are several options available to improve the appearance of your smile. With the help of cosmetic procedures, the surgeon will reshape and enhance the overall aesthetic of the gums. He may use plastic surgery options such as grafting to fill in the areas where you have a fading gum line. Other methods can be crown lengthening, recontouring a gummy smile, or modifying an uneven gum line.
Final Thoughts
It is possible to restore your lost smile. Just make sure to get the right treatment at the right time. Choose your dental service provider carefully who has enough experience and knowledge of various dental treatment options. Also, don’t forget that prevention is better than cure. Therefore, it is vital to follow a proper oral care routine dedicatedly. Go for regular dental checkups so that your dentist can detect any underlying dental issue at the earliest and start the treatment before it gets too late.