Recovering from Periodontitis: Tips for Healthy Gums and Supporting Tissues

Gum disease treatment, also referred to as periodontitis, primarily focuses on treating the infection affecting the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth. The goal of periodontal treatment Huntsville AL is to halt the progression of the disease, decrease inflammation, and promote the recovery of the gums and their underlying structures.

Non-Surgical Treatments:

Deep Cleaning of Teeth and Gums:

This deep cleaning procedure eliminates plaque and tartar from tooth surfaces and the area beneath the gum line, smoothing the root surfaces to prevent additional bacterial accumulation. The use of local anesthesia can help reduce discomfort.

Antibiotics:

Antibiotics taken orally or topically can be prescribed to treat bacterial infections and alleviate inflammation.

Antimicrobial Mouthwashes:

Chlorhexidine gluconate is a frequently used antimicrobial agent that can complement mechanical periodontal treatment Huntsville AL, as stated by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Surgical Treatments:

Periodontal Pocket Reduction Surgery:

This periodontal treatment Huntsville AL procedure involves lifting the gums to gain access to and thoroughly clean the tooth roots and underlying bone, and then smoothing the bone to stabilize the disease.

Bone and Tissue Transplants:

These procedures are employed to regenerate bone and gum tissue that has been lost because of periodontitis.

Guided Tissue Repair Technique.

A barrier membrane is deployed to stimulate the development of new bone and gum tissue.

Periodontist:

A specialist in dental care who deals with periodontal disease treatment is called a periodontist. Periodontal treatment Huntsville AL treatment can be performed by either a dentist or a periodontist. A dental hygienist may collaborate with either your dentist or periodontist as part of your treatment plan. The objective of treatment is to thoroughly clean the interdental areas and prevent harm to adjacent gum tissue and bone.

Diagnosis

Your dentist may determine whether you have periodontitis and how severe it is by:

Carefully review your medical history to identify any factors that may be associated with your symptoms. Examples include smoking or taking specific medications that lead to dry mouth.

Inspect your mouth to identify plaque and tartar deposits and assess for any bleeding that occurs easily.

Measure the depth between your gums and teeth by using a dental probe, a small ruler, to place it between your teeth and the gum line. The width of the pockets is typically assessed at multiple locations on both the upper and lower gum lines.

Typically, in a healthy mouth, the pocket depth ranges from 1 to 3 millimeters. Pockets with depths exceeding 4 mm may suggest periodontitis. Pockets of more than 5 mm depth are not easily cleaned with standard maintenance procedures.

Have your dentist take dental X-rays to identify bone loss in areas where deeper pockets are present.