General Treatment of Gum Disease

The treatment for advanced gum disease is twofold- the goal is to control and heal any infection that has set in and to also stop the further progression of the problem. Treatment options that will be encouraged include home care maintenance such as proper brushing and flossing as well as eating a healthy diet of foods that support the gums, teeth and surrounding bone.

Non-surgical therapies can also be put into play such as deep cleaning in the form of scaling and root planing which helps to inhibit the development of dangerous bacteria in the mouth. In the most serious of cases, surgery could be needed to restore the bone and supporting tissues. Dentists often recommend that patients of gum disease give up smoking and relative drinking in order to increase the success rate of their treatment.

If a patient has gingivitis then the dental hygienist will get rid of the plaque and tartar that has built up above the below the gum line. People showing signs of the beginnings of gum disease may be strongly encouraged to visit the dentist for check ups more than every six months. It is likely that the dentist will recommend that the patient use a toothpaste and/or mouth rinse that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for fighting gingivitis.

At the present time, the only FDA approved toothpaste is Colgate Total. Besides containing fluoride, which is essential in the fight against cavities, Colgate Total contains a mild antimicrobial substance known as triclosan, which has been proved through clinical studies to decrease plaque on the teeth and therefore gingivitis, if it is used on a consistent basis. A mouth rinse that is composed of the ingredient chlorhexidine has also been approved by the FDA to fight plaque and gingivitis, but at the present time, it is only available with a prescription.

If the doctor notes that the gums are showing signs of recession or if there has been a small degree of bone loss then the standard form of treatment for this is known as scaling and root planning (SRP). SRP is a non-surgical form of intensive deep cleaning that can mean the difference between the worsening of the condition or not.

Scaling is done first. Scaling involves scraping the tartar from both above and below the gum line while root planning means to remove the rough spots on the roots of the teeth and to smooth the areas where germs can collect to wreak havoc with the teeth. This process also helps to adequately get rid of as much bacteria as possible that can contribute to more serious problems. Once the surface is clean and smooth gums can then begin the process of healing and reattaching to the teeth.

The FDA approved a drug in 1998 called Periostat (doxycycline hyclate), which helps to fight gum disease and is used in conjunction with scaling and root planning. The SRP process is primarily undertaken to get rid of bacteria – Periostat is a pill that is taken by mouth. This pill works to suppress the work of an enzyme known as collagenase, which can cause a great deal of damage to the teeth and the gums.

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