What is Periodontal Disease?
Over time, periodontal disease erodes your jawbone and forms a severe infection in the gums. Holding off on treatment will only worsen the situation, and the infection will spread faster.
The following symptoms characterize periodontal disease:
- Gums that are swollen, red, and tender
- Bad breath
- Toothaches
- Loose teeth
- Gum recession and partial or complete tooth loss
Non-Surgical Ways to Treat Periodontal Disease
The symptoms of gum disease, such as gingivitis, can be controlled; however, they cannot be eliminated once periodontal disease has developed. Some individuals with periodontal disease are eligible for non-surgical treatments because they only display early symptoms. Even in the face of periodontal disease, there are non-surgical treatments that your doctor can review with you to make your lifestyle as comfortable as possible.
1. Scaling and Root Planing
Your periodontist will remove all the surface plaque and bacteria in your periodontal pockets within your mouth and gum line, preventing further buildup of toxins. In most cases, this treatment will only need to be done once; patients are responsible for maintaining their oral hygiene routine. According to the severity of the disease, some patients may need to come in periodically.
2. Laser treatment
Using specific wavelengths, the laser breaks off infected areas of the patient's inflamed gum tissue. With the laser, your periodontist will remove the inflamed tissue around and below the infected tooth area. Using a unique tool, your periodontist removes any accumulation of plaque or tartar around your gum line.
3. The Perio tray
A topical antibiotic is prescribed by your periodontist to ease the signs and symptoms of periodontal disease, but it is not as common as other treatments for the condition. You receive them through a mouth tray that is customized to your exact bite for the best fit.
After the mouth tray has been created and antibiotics have been prescribed, they will be ready for use. Antibiotics are added to the tray, and the tray is placed over the teeth twice per day for 10 minutes. The goal of this delivery system is to deliver medication below the gum line in order to treat infection. As a result, you will experience less pain, inflammation, bleeding of the gums, and redness.
The following antibiotics are most likely to be prescribed by your periodontist if you have periodontal disease:
- Tetracycline
- Hydrochloride
- Doxycycline
- Minocycline
You should speak with your periodontist about these antibiotic options and any non-surgical treatment options listed above.
While there is no cure for periodontal disease, it can be maintained to prevent it from getting worse. Get with your periodontist for the right treatment plan for you.
