Four Categories of Treatment to Consider if You Are Suffering from Gum Disease
It can be scary to hear that you have been diagnosed with gum disease. The good news is that there are treatment options that can help you. Keep reading to learn about four of those categories, then contact California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161 for a thorough cleaning and exam so you know what your best options are.
- Taking Care of Your Teeth at Home
- Going to the Dentist on a Regular Basis
- Deep Cleaning
- Surgery
First and foremost, make sure that you are brushing regularly at home and that you floss daily. If you skip either or both of these steps, plaque and tartar can buildup much more quickly. Tartar can only be removed by dental instruments and if it builds up too much, it can cause gum disease, cavities, and even tooth loss.
Visiting your dentist is the only way to have tartar removed. Even if you brush and floss every day, there is still going to be some amount of tartar buildup, and if it is left too long then it can cause gum disease and other issues. When you visit your dentist, we can do a comprehensive exam so that we can treat existing issues before they become more serious.
In some cases, gum disease may be minor and a regular cleaning may be enough to treat it. In other instances, you might need a deeper, more intense cleaning. We may suggest a non-surgical procedure. It is called scaling and root planning and involves a deep cleaning to get rid of all plaque and tartar not just above the gumline but below it too. This process also smooths out rough spots on the root, which can attract bacteria and germs.
If gum disease gets too far, then a surgical procedure may be the best avenue of treatment. Your dentist can go over all the surgical options so that you understand what your choices are. They can range from flap surgery to tissue grafts. All cases are different and we can give you a specific treatment plan based on your specific needs.
Visit Your Dentist as Soon as You Suspect You Have Gum Disease
This is not something that is likely to get better on its own. The sooner you catch it and the sooner your dentist starts helping you, the better off you will be. If you are having symptoms, or even if you have just not visited a dentist in six months, contact California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161 now to set up an appointment.
