But in the advanced stages or if the gum disease is already serious, the treatment will be one or more of the following methods:
- Deep cleaning below the gums
- Antibiotics
- Tooth / teeth extraction if necessary
- Gum surgery
How to prevent gum disease
Advanced gum disease might require surgery. But even in the early stages, gum disease can affect your overall oral health, including your breath and your gum’s appearance. To prevent these, it’s good to do the following:
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day
- Replace your toothbrush once every 3 months (a toothbrush will be less effective as it gets older)
- Use floss or interdental brushes
- Avoid smoking (smoking can lead to gum disease, tooth staining, tooth decay and tooth loss)
It’s also good to visit a dentist once every 6 or 12 months. This is to stop the further progress of gum disease if it’s still in the early stage (and prevent surgery and other expensive treatments). It’s also a practical way to prevent teeth and gum problems in the first place and maintain their healthy appearance.
We should take gum disease seriously because it can result in tooth loss and infection. A one- or two-hour visit to the dentist can help prevent that. It’s a small step to protecting your oral health and maintaining your confidence. That’s because if you have gum disease, it’s possible that bad breath is also present.
Contact us today here at Rose Dental if you suspect you have gum disease (symptoms to look for are bleeding, swollen, red or sore gums). Whether it’s in the early or advanced stage, we can apply an appropriate and effective treatment.