Gum disease pertains to all conditions that affect the supporting structures of the teeth. These structures, among others, include the gums or the gingiva. Infection is the most common disease affecting dental structures and gingivitis is the most common among them. They can have a fairly acute or rapid onset or take a longer insidious or chronic course. They can start from a mild condition and then progress into a serious and dangerous disease.
Any kind of gum disease should be treated right away. But surgery is not always the answer. There are several non-invasive or non-surgical treatment options for gum disease that you can use:
- Plaque formation is the root cause of most gum disease. Elimination of plaque is the key to prevent and treat periodontal disease. To do this, brush your teeth at least twice a day or, even better, after every meal. This will prevent bacteria build-up which later leads to plaque formation. To assure effective performance, replace your toothbrush every 1-2 months.
- Regular flossing of teeth is also important. It is because brushing alone does not assure that spaces in between the teeth is reached and cleaned thoroughly. Flossing will extricate tiny food debris in between the teeth.
- Use an antiseptic mouthwash and gargle 10 ml of the antiseptic twice a day. This will help wash off debris extricated from flossing. Using a mouthwash will make you feel completely clean.
- Have a periodic dental examination. Gum disease is usually asymptomatic but a dental professional can detect them even in its early stages. You may ignore experiencing dry mouth but a dentist will immediately know that something is wrong with your oral health. A deep dental cleaning can do so much for a better oral and dental health.
- The dentist might prescribe oral antibiotics as part of the non-surgical treatment of gum disease. Antibiotics target microorganisms that commonly cause gum infection. At times, antibiotic gel or paste are applied directly on the periodontal structures or insert antibiotic fiber on the gum pockets.
- Scaling and polishing teeth is another non-surgical way to treat gum disease. Scaling is a process of removing plaque and tartar from the surface of the teeth using hand instruments or ultrasonic mechanical instrument. Polishing the teeth can only be done by a professional. Having clean teeth and gums can boost confidence and it can affect the way one deals with other people.
The above procedures are not painful and do not involve surgery. Brushing, flossing and using mouthwash are very simple things to follow to prevent gum disease. They can eliminate gum disease and eventually eliminate the need for surgery. Dental cleaning, antibiotics and scaling and polishing teeth can minimize the adverse effects from surgery because less of the drug is absorbed by the rest of the body.
Tags: dry mouth, gingivitis, gum disease