If you recently noticed bleeding when you brush and floss your teeth or swollen gums, you have the first signs of gum disease. If you haven’t already, make an appointment with your periodontal dentist in Florham Park so that you can cure periodontal disease. It’s important to treat gum disease as soon as possible in order to prevent bone loss as well as tooth loss. Whether you have early signs of periodontal disease or you’re in an advanced stage, we have all of the answers regarding your treatment for you. See how a Healthy Smile Dentistry can cure the periodontal disease at our Florham Park dental office.
What is Periodontitis?
Periodontitis is also known as periodontal disease or gum disease. Periodontitis is an infection that damages the bone that supports your tooth as well as the soft tissue. Periodontitis occurs when bacteria sticks to the tooth and begins to pocket around the tooth. This bacteria occurs when there is plaque on the tooth that is not cleaned off. The plaque turns into hard tartar or calculus which then results in bacteria. Eventually, the bacterium surrounds the tooth and begins to multiply causing inflammation to your tooth and gums. Without treatment, the bacteria will wear away at your bone and soft tissue and potentially cause your teeth to fall out.
Periodontitis not only affects your dental health but also your heart health. Without treatment, periodontitis can increase your risk for stroke, heart attack, and other heart issues.
Facts About Periodontal Disease
- Smoking can increase your risk of gum disease.
- Periodontal disease is caused by a build-up of plaque and bacteria around the gum line.
- Good oral hygiene can prevent most gum disease.
- Proper oral hygiene can be used as a treatment for periodontal disease.
- There is a link between gum disease and heart problems.
- Surgery might be needed to treat advanced cases of gum disease.
Cure Periodontal Disease with Treatment Options From Your Periodontal Dentist in Florham Park
There are many different treatments for periodontal disease available from your Florham Park dentist. To start, your treatment option depends on which stage of gum disease you may have. In order to find this out, you will need to be diagnosed by your dentist first.
Cure Periodontal Disease with Good Oral Hygiene
If you are in an early stage of periodontal disease, your dentist will recommend a good oral hygiene regimen. This means that you brush and floss your teeth twice daily. Dr. Gohard might recommend that you use an electric toothbrush to clean your teeth better. We may also recommend a certain mouthwash to keep your mouth extra clean. With consistent good oral health care, you can cure periodontal disease in your mouth with ease.
Cure Periodontal Disease with Scaling and Cleaning
If your periodontal disease has progressed a little further than the early stages and is not responding to good oral hygiene, you might need a root planing and scaling treatment to better treat your periodontal disease. This is where your Florham Park dentist removes debris from underneath the gum line using a dental instrument. This will remove any bacteria that are lurking between your gums and your teeth and causing early signs of gum disease. This treatment is usually completed in one visit. Dr. Gohard may recommend that you receive a root planing and scaling twice a year to prevent gum disease.
Cure Periodontal Disease with Medications
More advanced levels of gum disease will require medication to treat. One of the most common medications is a prescription antimicrobial mouth rinse known as chlorhexidine. This is used to control bacteria in your mouth and is used like a regular mouthwash.
Another medication that is prescribed is an antiseptic chip. This is a small piece of gelatin filled with chlorhexidine that is used to reduce periodontal pockets. It’s inserted into the pockets and is released slowly.
Dr. Gohard may also use an antibiotic gel to help control bacteria and reduce your pockets. This is usually placed into pockets after a root planing and scaling. Dr. Gohard may also place an antibiotic microsphere into your pockets to reduce pocket size and bacteria.
The other medications used to treat later stages of periodontal disease are an enzyme suppressant or oral antibiotics. Each medication is taken as a pill and is used to treat the infection.
How to Cure Advanced Periodontitis
If your periodontal disease has progressed to advanced stages, you may need surgery. The two types of surgery given to advanced gum disease patients is a flap surgery or a bone and tissue graft. Flap surgery removes calculus from the deep pockets and to reduce the size of the pockets. Bone and tissue grafts are given to patients to help regenerate lost tissue on their gums.
Visit Your Florham Park Periodontal Dentist For a Cure to Periodontal Disease
If you have any signs of periodontal disease or have already been diagnosed, it’s time to receive your treatment now. Talk to Dr. Gohard at A Healthy Smile Dentistry to cure periodontal disease and to restore your dental health. Give us a call or fill out our online form to get started.