Early gum disease treatment can prevent further recession and health problems in Mississauga
Many adults notice a bit of ‘pink in the sink’ when they brush or floss their teeth and dismiss it as part of the habit. In fact, bleeding or sore gums can be a sign of gum disease – an oral health issue that can cause gum recession, tooth sensitivity, and, if left untreated, overall wellness issues. Dr. Rina Kotecha of Dentistry on 10 helps her patients understand gum disease and how to prevent or treat it.
What is gum disease?
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, begins with the growth of bacteria in the mouth. It typically begins just under the surface of the gums causing pockets of space between the teeth and gums, which become inflamed and infected. If not addressed, gum disease can do more than cause bleeding and sore gums, it can cause the gum recession, bone loss, and many health issues. The good news is that gum disease is not only treatable, but preventable with diligent oral health care.
Treatment for gum disease
The earlier that gum disease is detected the easier it will be to treat.
- Gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease, can typically be reversed with better oral hygiene habits. More thorough brushing and flossing will remove plaque, the biggest trigger for gum disease. Most dentists recommend that patients brush for at least two minutes twice a day and floss carefully at least once each day. Skipping the step of flossing only cleans a little more than half of the tooth’s surface, leaving plenty of area for plaque and bacteria to grow.
- If the gum disease is more advanced, a more intensive treatment may be required. This may include scaling and root planing in which plaque is removed from below the gum line. Other popular treatments include Ozone therapy and laser treatments. All these procedures are performed in order to remove bacteria and infection from the mouth. In some cases, a prescription mouth rinse or antibiotics will also be prescribed.
- In the most severe cases of gum disease, the best course of treatment is oral surgery in which the gums are pulled back in order to clean out the infected area. The gums are then stitched so that the infection cannot come back.
For more information about gum disease call the Dentistry on 10 office at (905) 455-9262.
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