How You Can Fix Periodontal Disease

Written By Kassandra Foreman / Reviewed By Ray Spotts

Periodontal disease is an infection in the gums that causes damage to the gum tissue and can damage the bones when left untreated. Prevention is important but once it has developed there are methods of treatment that can reduce or get rid of the infection and help return the gums to health.

Periodontal disease signs

Signs of periodontal disease include red and swollen gums, gums that are sore to touch and when eating, bleeding gums, bad breath, and difficulty while chewing. The pain and discomfort may be continuous or only when eating, brushing, and flossing, and bleeding may occur not only when brushing and flossing but often throughout the day.

As the infection increases there may be pus and discharge present from the gums. Damage to the gums may cause loose or even lost teeth. Receding gums are no longer able to hold the teeth stable and this allows them to shift or become loose and even fall out.

Periodontal disease prevention

To prevent periodontal disease it is necessary to maintain good oral hygiene. Teeth must be brushed twice daily - or after every meal if there is a high risk of gum disease - and flossed at least once a day. This keeps the teeth free of food particles that will increase the germs within the mouth and keep buildup of plaque and tartar from occurring.

Dental cleanings must be attended once or twice a year as directed by your dentist. The less buildup on teeth and between the teeth and gums the healthier the gums will remain. A water flosser can be used to massage gums and to help remove food particles and keep teeth and gums clean.

Periodontal disease treatments

Treatments are offered by a dentist or periodontist and can be completed in-office. A dental cleaning is the first step to treating periodontal disease as it removes the buildup from on and around the teeth with scaling.

Root planning may keep further buildup from forming on and around the roots of the teeth and remove any germs that has gathered.

If periodontal disease is present an antibiotic may be used to kill the germs and get rid of the infection. Where these procedures are not enough to solve the concern surgery may be completed.

A flap surgery will allow easier planing of the roots and the pocket will be cleaned to prevent further buildup. A graft may be completed to replace receded gums and build support around the tooth. Where bones have been affected a bone graft can be completed to replace the damaged area.

Periodontal disease can often be avoided through proper oral hygiene and regular dental care, but in some cases it cannot be prevented, such as hormonal causes and underlying diseases, in which case antibiotics, root planing, and even surgical procedures may be used to correct the damage and to cure the infection.

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Written By:

Kassandra Foreman has been writing freelance for five years now and enjoys learning about new things to write about. When not writing she teaches yoga and meditation with a focus on health and fitness.

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.

Photo by Caroline LM on Unsplash