By far, periodontitis (gum disease) is one of the most severe gum infections that damage the teeth and soft tissues. Without proper treatment, it can severely damage the jawbone as well. Periodontitis is a common condition that can be avoided in most cases. It's mainly caused by a lack of dental hygiene. It's critical to get it treated early on to prevent it from spreading and creating serious symptoms.

Causes of Gum Disease

•  Ill-effects of certain medications
•  Smoking or chewing tobacco
•  Clenching of the jaw
•  Health conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
•  Poor oral hygiene leaving tartar deposits on the teeth
•  Injuries to gums or teeth.

Gum disease is mainly caused by plaque and tartar. Plaque is a thin layer of microbes that forms on the surface of the teeth. Without proper cleaning of teeth, plaque turns into dark, sticky matter called tartar. Tartar houses thousands of bacteria that may come in direct contact with the surrounding gums and cause infection. Without proper treatment, the injection can advance to much more severe gum disease.

What are the Symptoms of Gum Disease?

• Bleeding gums
• Pus released from gums
• Teeth loosening from their socket
• Bad breath
• Tooth loss
• Swollen or red gums
• Teeth discoloration
• Receding gum line

How is Gum Disease Treated?

For treating gum disease, we initially recommend scaling and root planing procedures. Scaling is the removal of all the accumulated plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line. This procedure is done using an ultrasonic scaling device. The tip of the device is brought close to the tartar deposits that dislodge it, and then the debris is washed away with a jet of water. Root planing is the smoothening of the rough surfaces on the teeth to avoid the deposition of tartar or food debris.

Other treatments include:

Medication: A highly effective medication such as Arestin can be prescribed to eliminate gum infection. Usually, we prefer placing the medication into the deep gum pockets to facilitate optimum healing and prevent reinfection.

Gum Graft: A gum graft surgery is performed to increase the volume of gum tissues near the receded gum line. In this procedure, the healthy gum tissue is extracted from the roof of the mouth and then surgically grafted near the required area.

How to Prevent Gum Disease

Since gum disease is caused by accumulated plaque and tartar, you must practice good oral habits. Brush twice a day, floss properly, and use mouthwash every day. Choose fluoride toothpaste that will strengthen your teeth and also prevent them from cavities. Get your teeth professionally cleaned at least twice a year to eliminate the chances of infection.

Please reach out to Rota Advanced Dental Care in Colorado Springs, CO, 80923, to have a consultation with our dentist, Dr. Rota. Please call Dentist Colorado Springs, CO at (719) 598-1224 or schedule an online consultation, and we’ll guide you further.