People often decide to go see the dentist after symptoms of gum disease pop up. After all, there's nothing quite as alarming as noticing that your gums are bleeding. If your gums are bothering you and you're not sure what the dentist will do about them, here's some information for you.
Basic Cleaning
The first thing your dentist will want you to have is a standard dental cleaning. This clears away bacteria, plaque, and tartar, allowing the dentist to get a better look at how your gums are doing. Once your teeth and gums are clean, they'll thoroughly examine your mouth to look for problems. If it looks like you have gum disease, they'll likely move on to the next step listed.
Gum Pockets
When you develop gum disease, something that tends to happen is the development of gum pockets. What this really means is that your gums pull back, creating a gap between the gum line and the teeth. Then, a pocket forms where that gap is. These pockets are a problem because they fill up with debris and bacteria and can worsen the infection that you already have in your gums.
If you have gum pockets, your dentist will spend some time working on them. They'll use an ultrasonic scaler to break up any tartar that may be hiding in your gum pockets and will then flush it out with a spray of water. This will help your body to start a natural healing process now that the irritants are gone. Over time, the gums will also start to return to their original position, providing your teeth with more protection.
Antibiotics
If your gum infection was bad enough, your dentist will prescribe antibiotics. Make sure to use them and follow the directions carefully. You may start to feel better after just a couple days of pills, but stopping the antibiotics too soon can allow the bacteria to come back. It may also make it more resilient and resistant to treatment, which is something you absolutely don't want. So take all of the medication as directed.
Gum disease is a problem that can often only be treated by a dentist. While the earliest stage is something that can often be controlled at home, all of the advanced forms aren't so lucky. If you want to do what's best for your gums, at the first sign of gum disease symptoms, you should go to the dentist for help. Look for a dentist near you like one at Wallington Dental for more information.
Every time you take a bite of food, you should be grateful for your healthy teeth! A tooth can lose its health and structure quickly once decay sets in. Luckily, if you visit your dentist for regular appointments, the decay should not get too serious before your dentist notices it and can do something about it. That "something" is applying a filling. On the other hand, if the decay progresses too long before it is caught, you may need a crown or even an extraction.
We want to keep our teeth, and we know you want to keep yours. That's why we created this website to teach you more about dentists and dental care. Enjoy!