When people fail to observe good dental hygiene, plaque builds up and hardens on the teeth. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria and over time, it multiplies and attacks the gums. Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease and it is characterized by inflamed gums. If left untreated, the condition may advance to periodontitis, which means sore and bleeding gums, chewing difficulty, and tooth loss.
Depending on how advanced the condition is, gum disease can be treated either non-surgically or surgically. Here are some noninvasive treatments for gum disease:
Professional dental cleaning
This does not qualify as a treatment procedure for active gum disease. Rather, it’s a preventive measure to help stem the development of plaque. During your twice-yearly dental checkups, get your teeth cleaned professionally to remove tartar (plaque that has hardened and can only be removed by a dentist).
Scaling and planing
When tartar has invaded the gum line extensively, thorough cleaning is required to root it out. This procedure is known as scaling and the patient is placed under local anesthetic beforehand. The tartar is then scraped away using a dental pick and a scaler.
Afterward, rough spots in the root of the tooth are smoothed out and polished. This removes any residual bacteria and makes the tooth smooth enough for the gums to reattach.
If you notice that your gums are getting red/purplish, receding from your teeth, or bleed when you brush, you may have gingivitis. Visit a dentist immediately to stem the development of tartar on your teeth. Residents of Texas can get their teeth professionally cleaned at Lonestar Dental Center in Humble. Call 281-233-0333 now to make an appointment.