You Have Periodontal (Gum) Disease: Now What?

February 28, 2023

Over 40% of adults aged 30 or older have gum disease, so if you have been diagnosed with this oral health condition, you are not alone [1].

Gum disease happens when plaque or tartar build up around the gums and cause the periodontal tissue to pull away from the teeth, which can leave gaps that can cause tooth sensitivity. Infected tissue can also accumulate in these gaps, causing further damage to your smile and symptoms such as chronic bad breath.

So what happens once you’ve been diagnosed with periodontal disease? Your treatment will depend on the severity of the condition and your unique oral health.

Your Dentist Will Conduct a Deep Cleaning

Also called a root planing and scaling, a deep cleaning allows your dentist to clean just below your gumline to remove the plaque, tartar, and bacteria responsible for gum disease. This type of cleaning is more involved than a traditional teeth cleaning and may take longer, and you can expect some tenderness afterward.

Since a root planing and scaling removes toxins from your gumline, it helps activate the
immune system to heal damaged tissue [2]. It also helps reduce gum inflammation to reverse gum disease. If your periodontal disease is mild to moderate, a root planing and scaling may be the only treatment you need to heal your gum tissue.

You May Need Antibiotic Therapy

For some patients with gum disease, antibiotic therapy can help clear up any infection after a deep cleaning so their gums have a better chance of reattaching to the teeth. This may be an antibiotic mouth rinse or an oral antibiotic that you can take [3].

Antibiotic therapy may even include a topical application that your dentist will apply after your root planing and scaling procedure. However, if you are prescribed an oral antibiotic or antibiotic rinse, it’s essential to use these therapies as directed to successfully complete your treatment.

Surgical Intervention May Be Necessary

While not necessary for every case of periodontal disease, some patients may benefit from gum surgery to repair their gum tissue.

Gum surgery for gum disease is relatively common and can be an important step in your treatment. Those who may need surgery as part of their periodontal disease treatment include those with:

Advanced gum disease
Bone loss in the jaw
Gum recession
Loose teeth

In cases such as these, it’s likely you will need a soft tissue graft (sometimes called a gum graft), a connective tissue graft, or a bone graft to help fully restore your smile. Your dentist will let you know what treatments may be necessary during your consultation.

Maintaining Your Smile

Once your gum disease is healed, it’s crucial to properly maintain your smile to prevent gum disease from returning. Fortunately, maintaining a healthy smile is as simple as brushing and flossing every day and visiting your dentist every six months for checkups and cleanings.

Catching gum disease early can minimize any treatment you may need and get your smile back to normal sooner, so don’t wait to book your next dental checkup!