4 ways to treat gum disease at every stage

Treatment for periodontal disease, better known as “gum disease,” is no one service or intervention. At Shine Dental Arts, our highly skilled and experienced dentists, Drs. Vanessa L. Quihuis and Anthony F.R. Quihuis recommend treatments to our neighbors in Ahwatukee and greater Phoenix, Arizona, based on factors such as the extent or severity of gingival/gum damage. Four of these treatments are highlighted below.

No. 1: Oral hygiene

For some patients, the first line of defense may be recommendations for oral care products and changes to brushing and/or flossing techniques. Incidentally, this intervention is also the best way to prevent gum disease. Good and consistent oral hygiene helps minimize the risk factors for gum disease – the accumulation of harmful oral bacteria and the build-up of stubborn bacterial plaque at the gum line. Home care must also be combined with regular visits to our office for professional teeth cleanings. Our hygienists remove stubborn plaque (tartar) that cannot be removed with a standard toothbrush.

No. 2: Antibiotics

Bacteria-fighting medications may be prescribed. These medications can be a stand-alone treatment or combined with other therapies. The specific type of antibiotic our dentists recommend depends on the nature and “stage” of the disease. For instance, while topical antibiotics are common, systemic medications that work throughout your body may be used to treat severe cases of gum disease.

No. 3: Deep cleaning

The standard cleaning, or prophylaxis, is generally performed once every four months from our office. During this cleaning, our hygienists remove surface stains, bacteria, plaque, and tartar from the teeth and at the gumline. If one of our dentists finds that you have damage to your gums, a deeper type of cleaning may be in your future. This cleaning, known as “Scaling and Root Planing,” removes plaque and other bacterial toxins from below the gumline. We also lift these substances from the periodontal pockets or spaces that form between the teeth and gums as the disease progresses without treatment. This non-surgical procedure is largely appropriate for patients with gingivitis, the early form of gum disease.

No. 4: Periodontal surgery

Gingivitis can progress to periodontitis. This late-stage gum disease is characterized by infection and the breakdown of the supportive soft and hard tissues. At this stage, the damage done to your mouth cannot be reversed; however, we can regenerate lost tissues! Depending on how severe your periodontitis is, surgical options to heal your gums and build up lost tissues may include:

• Flap surgery – Also known as pocket reduction surgery, this treatment involves folding back the gums to expose the roots of your teeth for more effective cleaning. As needed, the bone may be reshaped to encourage healing.
• Gum grafts—Your gumline may be “reinforced” with tissue taken from other parts of your mouth or from a donor source. This donor tissue or “graft” is then applied to build up and regenerate the deteriorated tissues.
• Bone grafting – Similar to the above technique, deteriorated bony tissue may be bolstered with a graft sourced from your body. Alternatively, synthetic or donor tissues may be used. This process helps to stimulate bone regrowth at the surgical site.

The treatments mentioned above can be avoided with consistently good oral care at home and at the office of Shine Dental Arts. Has it been longer than six months since your last checkup? If so, do not delay to schedule an appointment. Our team in the Ahwatukee area of Phoenix, AZ, can be reached at (480) 893-3072 today.

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