Treatment Options for Gum Disease
Patients of Dr. Roni Berbari receive some of the finest dental care in the Montreal area. The practice offers the latest in general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, focusing on improving the health and wellness of the teeth and gums. This focus on advanced periodontics and treatments for the gums is crucial for having the healthiest and most beautiful smile possible.
With that in mind, let's look at gum disease and how it can be effectively treated.
About Gum Disease
Gum disease is a bacterial infection of the gum tissue. This is caused by the oral bacteria that naturally occurs within a person's mouth. When a person suffers from gum disease, it can progress to various levels of severity.
The Stages of Gum Disease
The different stages of gum disease, from least severe to most severe, are as follows:
- Gingivitis
- Periodontitis
- Advanced periodontitis
Ideally, gum disease should be treated as soon as possible to prevent major damage to the gumline, the teeth, and other parts of the mouth.
Signs and Symptoms of Gum Disease
Some of the earliest signs and symptoms of gum disease include the following:
- Swollen gums
- Discolored gums
- Sore gums
- Bleeding gums
- Bad breath
At advanced stages of gum disease, patients are likely to experience gum recession, tooth decay below the gumline, loose teeth, tooth misalignment, tooth loss, and the spread of infection to other parts of the mouth.
Given these advanced symptoms, it should be clear why treating early stages of gum disease is more ideal than waiting for treatment later on.
Treating Gum Disease
When it comes to treating gum disease directly, it's important to use antiseptic rinses and other antiseptic products in order to address the bacterial infection itself. It may also be necessary to use antibiotics to address the bacterial infection and other issues related to bacteria.
The types of antiseptics and the antibiotics used will vary from patient to patient depending on the stage of gum disease and the amount of damage done.
Restoring the Gumline After Gum Disease
If you have suffered from gum recession as a result of your gum disease, there are a number of different treatments to address the damage done to the gumline and other parts of the mouth. For the loss of gum tissue, a great option to consider is soft tissue augmentation (gum grafting). This will use donor soft tissue from the palate or artificial gum tissue to help rebuild the gumline.
There are different restorative treatments available for treating tooth damage and decay and other issues that are related to gum disease. These can be discussed during your consultation at our practice, with a full treatment plan tailored to meet your needs.
Tips for Preventing Gum Disease
In order to prevent gum disease, it's important to consider some of the following tips:
- Quit smoking and using any tobacco products
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day
- Floss your teeth at least once a night
- Visit your dentist regularly for checkups and routine care
Contact the Team at Montreal Smiles
To learn more about gum disease and how it can be treated and prevented, it's important that you contact our cosmetic and restorative dentistry center today. The team here at Montreal Smiles looks forward to you visit and helping you achieve a beautiful smile that is healthy as well.
