A periodontal ligament is a group of specialized connective tissue fibers that attaches your teeth to the alveolar bone. The periodontal ligament is part of the periodontium and has stem cells that maintain and repair it to ensure it is healthy and functions optimally. A disease may attack the fibrous joint and other gum and teeth-supporting structures. Gum disease or periodontal disease Campbell may be mild or severe, resulting from a bacterial infection in the mouth. When harmful bacteria stay for long in your mouth, it leads to the formation of plaque and tartar in excess. As a result, the acidic environment in your mouth causes swelling and infection of the periodontium.
You may also be at high risk of periodontal disease if you have particular chronic illnesses such as cancer, HIV, and diabetes. Other potential causes of gum disease include smoking, hormonal changes, and the use of some medications for preventing angina attacks and seizures or convulsions.
Having gum disease can lead to tooth loss and other complications that can threaten your life, like respiratory disease, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerotic heart disease, and failure to maintain healthy levels of sugar when you have diabetes. Consequently, below are the treatments a periodontal disease specialist may recommend during your visit.
Teeth scaling and root planing
Dental scaling and root planing is often the first procedure your dentist will likely recommend to treat your gum disease or infection. The non-surgical oral treatment involves removing all the plaque and tartar on the teeth and smoothening rough surfaces on the roots of the teeth. Smoothening the root surfaces encourages the reattachment of your gums to the teeth.
Your dentist may use manual and automatic devices to loosen and remove the plaque and tartar.
Medications
You can take medications with antibacterial properties to kill harmful bacteria and safeguard the gum and adjacent structures against destruction.
Your doctor may insert antibiotic cream into your periodontal pockets or prescribe an antibacterial mouthwash to discourage infections. Periodontal pockets are the openings or spaces surrounding your teeth beneath the gum line.
Pocket reduction surgery
The spaces between your gums and teeth encourage infections to spread if they are filled with harmful bacteria.
During periodontal pocket reduction surgery, your periodontist will fold back your gums to create a space that allows easy removal of harmful microorganisms, plaque, and tartar. Then your periodontist sews your gum tissue while ensuring a reduction in the periodontal pockets’ size. As a result, the periodontal procedure can reduce inflammation and save your teeth.
Crown lengthening
As a restorative and cosmetic treatment, crown lengthening exposes more surface of the natural teeth by recontouring gum tissue and bone. Therefore, crown lengthening can restore damaged teeth due to periodontal disease.
Moreover, crown lengthening can help prepare your mouth for cosmetic or restorative dental treatments like implants or dentures.
You can avoid periodontal disease and treatment by regularly visiting your periodontist’s office for dental checkups and maintaining excellent oral health at home. Healthy habits that can deliver a healthy mouth include brushing twice daily, flossing daily, eating healthy diets, quitting smoking, and avoiding stress.
Contact Ueno Center Dental Specialists to book an appointment for professional diagnosis and treatment of your periodontal disease.
