Gum Diseases

18 Jan 2024

Gum Diseases

Gum disease is an inflammation of the gum line that can progress to affect the bone that surrounds and supports your teeth. The three stages of gum disease — from least to most severe — are gingivitis, periodontitis and advanced periodontitis.

Initially it begins with a marked red swelling along the gum line, sometimes accompanied by bleeding when brushing the teeth. If untreated, it progresses in severity and teeth may begin to feel loose.

Periodontal diseases range from simple gum inflammation to serious disease that results in major damage to the soft tissue and bone that support the teeth. In the worst cases, teeth are lost.

Brushing and flossing help get rid of plaque. Plaque that is not removed can harden and form “tartar” that brushing doesn’t clean. Only a professional cleaning also called as Scaling, by a dentist can remove tartar. Scaling And Root Planing can be completed in two to four sessions depending on how much oral disease the patient may have.

If the teeth become loose or uncomfortable, the patient will require Gum Surgery. Initial therapy may be required to treat diseased periodontal pockets through scaling and root planning. The dentist would utilize an ultrasonic scaling device to remove plaque, tartar and food debris below the gum line and would hand scale the tooth and root surface to make it smooth and disease free. Thorough oral hygiene procedures would be reviewed with the patient to improve oral care cleaning techniques at home.