Treating Periodontal Disease with Early Detection
When gum disease is caught in its early stages, non-surgical treatments combined with better oral hygiene can help restore your gums to good health. For patients without gum disease, regular professional cleanings are enough to maintain healthy gums. But once gingivitis sets in, deeper cleanings and other non-surgical treatments are often recommended to address the issue.
Non-Surgical Treatment Options
The American Academy of Periodontology emphasizes using the least invasive and most cost-effective treatments to restore periodontal health. One of the first steps in treating gum disease is deeper cleaning procedures like scaling and root planing. These non-surgical methods are highly effective in slowing down the progression of periodontal disease.
How Scaling and Root Planing Works
Scaling and root planing involve carefully removing any plaque and tartar that have built up below the gumline. After that, the root surfaces of the teeth are smoothed out. Since gum disease is often an inflammatory response to plaque, tartar, and bacterial toxins, removing these irritants helps stop the disease from advancing. In some cases, antimicrobial medications or systemic treatments may also be used to further reduce bacteria under the gumline.
When Surgery is Needed
If non-surgical treatments don’t provide the desired results, surgical options may be recommended to stop the progression of gum disease and repair any damage as much as possible.
