Periodontal gum treatment or gum therapy is a method of treating gum tissues that have suffered from extensive infection due to bacterial attack. It is known to affect quite a large percentage of the American population and can vary regarding severity. Gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease is the onset of periodontal gum disease. Later stages can progress it into a chronic periodontal disease if left untreated.
Periodontal disease targets gum tissues, and hence, its cause is likely due to the prolonged accumulation of bacteria near the gingival margin. Our mouth is known to host millions of bacteria. This contributes to the formation of a sticky substance known as plaque which is a combination of both bacteria and saliva. With the course of time, plaque hardens into tartar making it difficult to remove with regular brushing and flossing. The longer this layer of bacteria is allowed to remain, the higher are its chances to progress into the periodontal disease.
Gum disease starts off as gingivitis. It is a mild condition of gum disease where the inflammation is still tangible. Some of the common symptoms of gingivitis are red, swollen and bleeding gums. Early intervention can easily prevent it from further progressing into a severe form of gum disease that is known as periodontal disease.
Treatment of periodontal disease will depend upon its severity and cause. Our aim is not symptomatic treatment alone, but to treat the condition by understanding the root of the problem. To do so, we perform an extensive analysis of the oral cavity to rule out a proper diagnosis. Any suspicious traces that suggest the onset of a mild gum disease would involve scaling and root planing procedure to rid of the tartar and plaque. An advanced stage of the disease would require a surgical approach. A standard method that we undergo is a flap surgery (gum-pocket reduction). This allows reducing the depth of gum pockets thereby promoting quicker healing and easy cleaning.
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