Treatments for Gum Diseases Such as Gingivitis

We all know how to avoid get gum diseases such as gingivities. From Kindergarten on we have been told brush, floss and rinse our teeth. Some hardcore adults may add an antiseptic mouthwash such as Listerine to their daily regimens. Gum disease can lead to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and prgenancy complications according to the November 2006 issue of Reader's Digest Prevention is a healthy thing and should be practiced, but it does not always work. What do you do once you have gum disease to manage it?

Patients should continue standard oral hygiene procedures but the intervention of a dentist may be needed to stop the progress of the disease and or remove teeth depending on how far it has progressed., Gum disease stats when harmful bacteria normally present in the mouth start to overwhelm th bodies immune systems. The response of the body to the build up of too much plaque and tartar generally makes the condition worse before treatment starts.

If gum diseases such as gingivitis are caught early before too much damage is done to the bones that attach the enamel to the tooth. While the "deep cleaning" procedure used to start treatment sounds like it should not involve a significant amount of pain, the Healthatoz website warns people undergoing it to expect some discomfort. The plaque and starter will normally be removed by means of an ultrasonic device. The dentist will remove plaque and tartar from the gums and teeth. To get the plaque around the teeth and the receding gum lines the dentist will need to scrape away the tartar build ups with a tool called a curette, which is a scoop shaped surgical instrument for removing build ups from body cavities. Initial treatment for gum disease should take about a week in be finished in 3 or 4 visits.

Most dentists will prescribe antibiotics to help fight the bacteria in the mouth. Should deep cleaning fail to remove the pockets, you may have to undergo surgery to remove the pockets or to reduce them. If the gums have receded to close to the bone, tissue grafting may be necessary. If the teeth become too short, a procedure known as crown lengthening - adding enamel to the tooth may be recommended.

While it is nice to know that treatments exist for gum disease, I think I will simply redouble my oral hygiene efforts and stock up on dental floss and Listerine. None of these procedures sound like something I want to undergo. Regardless of the procedure used, most dentists will do follow up care to make sure the condition does not return.

Sources:

http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/common/standard/transform.jsp?requestURI=/healthatoz/Atoz/dc/caz/enth/peri/treat.jsp

http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/common/standard/transform.jsp?requestURI=/healthatoz/Atoz/dc/caz/enth/peri/causes.jsp

Your Health IQ. Reader's Digest. Novermber, 2006