Why Do Gums Need Treatment?

The gums are usually affected by gum diseases, which are usually inflammation of the gum line that can cause damage to the teeth’s connective tissue and the bone. This can lead to loss of teeth.

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, normally develops when the plaque is allowed to build up along and under the gum line.

Types of Gum Diseases

Gums are most affected by the following gum diseases:

• Gingivitis

This is a mild form of gum disease that does not involve loss of any bone and tissue, which holds the teeth in place. In this condition, the patient’s gums will become red, swollen and can also bleed easily. This can be treated to a great extent by taking care of the gums and the teeth by proper brushing and flossing daily.

• Periodontitis

If a patient who has Gingivitis is not treated on time or properly, there are chances the patient can contract periodontitis. In this condition, the gums pull away from the teeth, forming spaces or pockets. The infection will then affect these pockets and damage the bone and the connective tissue holding the teeth, in turn, loosening the teeth.

In most cases of periodontitis, the periodontal bacteria found in the mouth are found to be the cause. They usually turn harmful when they get right conditions, like the presence of plaque.

Gum Disease Symptoms

Patients suffering from gum diseases display different symptoms like:

• Tender or Bleeding Gums
• Recurrent Swelling of gums
• Bad breath
• Deep pockets between the teeth and the gums
• Painful chewing
• Loose Teeth or appear to have shifted
• Receding Gums
• Treatment

The treatment option for gum diseases depends on the extent of the disease. The periodontist normally recommends a Non-Surgical Treatment as a first step to treating the disease. The next level of treatment is opted if the symptoms do not subside for the patient or the extent of the disease is severe.

Non-Surgical Treatments for Gum Disease

The periodontist will recommend the following non-surgical treatments:

• Professional Dental Cleaning- Scaling: In this treatment option, the dentist will be removing all the plaque and tartar from the gumline, both below and above. The dentists might recommend another professional dental cleaning twice a year if they find any signs of gum diseases. This is more of a preventive option.
• Root Planing: This non-surgical method uses a deep-cleaning root planning to remove the plaque from root surfaces. Scaling involves the scraping off the tartar from above and below the gum line. Root Planing removes the rough spots on the tooth root where germs and bacteria gather. These procedures may be performed under local anaesthesia.
• Laser Treatment: The tartar and plaque can also be removed by using laser techniques. The patient might experience lesser bleeding, swelling and general discomfort when compared to other traditional deep cleaning methods.
• Local Drug Delivery: The dentist may place antibiotic-impregnated fibres or capsule to help control the bacterial infection that is deep-seated. They are inserted in the space between the gums and the teeth or sometimes in the deep pockets left after deep cleaning. These antibiotics are necessary to completely eliminate infection-causing bacteria.

Authored by DR.NIRANJAN P