Good Teeth: They Don't Have to Be in Your Genes

Are you suffering from gum disease? If so, you likely have pain and discomfort in your teeth as well as a diminished appearance when you smile. If left untreated, gum disease can lead to a number of other issues, including tooth decay and even health problems in other parts of your body besides your mouth. Fortunately, there are a number of treatment options for your gum disease. Choosing the right one depends on the extent of the damage to your gums, your insurance coverage, and your tolerance for pain and recovery. Here are three of the most common treatment options for gum disease:

Scaling and root planing. This is one of the most common treatment options for gum disease, and it's often chosen because it doesn't require surgery. Rather, this is a deep-cleaning solution. Gum disease is caused by the buildup of plaque and bacteria in your gums. In a scaling and root planing treatment, your periodontist scrapes deep pockets to remove infected areas from your gums. That allows your gums to regenerate newer, healthier tissue.

Scaling and root planing are often done in one session. You're treated with localized anesthesia, and the pain and discomfort is usually gone within a couple of days. While this is an effective option, it's not effective if your condition is so extensive that the bacteria is deep within your gums. The periodontist can only scrape what is visible and easily accessible.

Flap surgery and grafting. Flap surgery is a more complicated procedure that is used when the tartar and bacteria lies deep within your gums. General anesthesia is used to put you under since this is a surgical procedure. The periodontist then creates flaps and pulls back your gum tissue to expose deep pockets of bacteria infection. He or she will then remove the tartar and bacteria before sealing your gums. In some cases, he or she will also take gum tissue from other, healthier areas of your mouth and graft it onto the treated area to promote healthy regeneration.

Flap surgery is a more complex procedure, so it may have a longer recovery time and added pain and discomfort. However, if you have a deep infection, it could be your best option.

Laser gum treatment. Laser gum treatment is a relatively new option that is becoming very popular. The  periodontist uses lasers to scale back infected areas of your gums and remove tartar and plaque. This is similar to the traditional scaling and root planing method, but with a few key differences. First is that a laser may be more precise than manual instruments, so only the infected areas will be affected. Also, because the treatment impacts less area of your gums, you may find that recovery is shorter and the pain and discomfort is limited.

Not all periodontists offer laser gum treatment. Before you commit to any other treatment option, you may want to look for a periodontist in your area who can perform laser treatment. They can inspect your gums and let you know if laser gum treatment is a good option for you. Have a peek at this website.