Gingivitis and Gum Disease Cure and Treatment Options

It is a sad fact that gum disease affects most adults at some stage during their lives. While there is not necessarily a periodontal disease cure, there are things you can do in conjunction with your dentist in order to minimize damage and in some cases reverse the disease process. They can also recommend natural at-home treatment options. Various methods can eradicate the condition and usually restore gum health. However, a life-style change is required for long-term success.

There are mild stages of the condition, which can be reasonably easily reversed without leading to long-lasting oral health problems; however, there are also more advanced stages which can be serious. The advanced and chronic form of periodontal gum disease is called periodontitis and it can cause some long-term health issues if it is not taken care of. It all starts, however, at the begin stage of the disease process, which is called gingivitis.

Gingivitis cure and treatments

Almost all gum disease, whether it be mild or advanced, is fostered by the growth and flourishing of  bacteria on the teeth and in the gums leading to chronic infection. There are several factors that are involved, but bacteria is key. If you can control and manage bacteria you are on the right path. Gingivitis is the initial stage of gum disease, and it is the mildest. When you have developed this form of gum disease you may notice the following symptoms or even nothing at all:

• Redder than usual gums
• Gums that bleed when you brush them or when you eat crunchy foods
• Bad breath (also known as halitosis)
• Weird taste in your mouth
• Receding gums

If you see some of these symptoms, then you should immediately visit your dentist for a deep clean in order to control and remove the dental plaque and bacteria that cause the condition and further advice about how to proceed. A dentist is able to offer professional diagnosis and personalised treatment plans.

If you notice that you have gingivitis early enough, then you are usually able to overcome it reasonably easily. Often all that is required is that you step up your oral hygiene routine at home. You should ensure that this includes:

• Brushing after each meal using a soft toothbrush or an electric toothbrush (example: Oral-B with an oscillating head).
• Using appropriate toothpaste that does not contain sodium lauryl sulphate.
• Using floss to gently get rid of food that can become lodged in your teeth and gums.
• Rinsing your mouth with a mild mouthwash that does not contain alcohol – (i.e.,  a natural mouthwash containing botanical oils).

If you follow the above routine and advice each day, you will remove much of the bacteria that are causing and maintaining the gingivitis infection. Check with your dentist that you are using the correct brushing technique and in most cases this will be enough to give you back your total oral health.

Periodontitis cure and treatments

Periodontitis occurs when the earlier stages of gum disease, such as gingivitis, are not observed and treated. When this stage of the condition develops, you are unlikely to be able to overcome it merely through home dental hygiene routines. It is usually the case that you will need professional dental intervention, which may take the form of non-surgical or surgical procedures.

Of course, if at all possible it is best to avoid having to undergo these procedures as they can be uncomfortable and even painful, time consuming and above all, expensive.

Non-surgical treatments

Non-surgical dental procedures may include:

• Antibiotics – medications like antibiotics are not strong enough to eradicate all the infection when you have already developed periodontitis, but they can be of assistance. Your dentist will often prescribe a course of antibiotics to accompany other treatments.
• Scraping and root planing – this is a procedure where the plaque, tartar and bacteria are removed from the gum tissue and periodontal pockets in order to facilitate healing. The root planing smooths over the tooth root surface area so that gum tissue can grow back more easily.

Surgical treatments might be needed when the condition cannot be properly treated using non-surgical methods. Some of the surgical procedures that may be performed include:

• Gum tissue grafting – when the gums have receded substantially and there is diseased gum tissue in the vicinity, it may be necessary for the dental surgeon to graft healthy tissue onto the area. Normally the disease free tissue from the roof of the mouth is grafted and placed around the tooth root.
• Pocket reducing surgery – During this treatment, the tartar and infection are removed from the periodontal pockets that form around the tooth. The gum tissue is then replaced more snugly around the tooth to limit the amount of bacteria that can enter the pocket.

There are several treatments that are offered by dentists these days for curing periodontal disease. However, it is always best to prevent this condition by following good oral care plan that includes regular visits to your dental hygienist rather than having to look for a stand-alone periodontal disease cure, that simply does not exist. Discover more about periodontal disease treatment options.

There are certain medical conditions that can affect your gum health and make you more susceptible to gum disease. Periodontal disease and diabetes, unfortunately, often go hand in hand. Following many medical studies over several decades, the link between diabetes and gum disease has been shown time and time again.

If you have either type I or type II diabetes, or even gestational diabetes, you have a much increased chance of developing gingivitis or more advanced gum health issues such as periodontitis. It is therefore important that all diabetics understand how gum diseases such as periodontitis develop; why they are at increased risk of the condition and what they can do in order to protect their oral health.

It is essential for the more than 26 million Americans who have diabetes to understand how their health condition can make them vulnerable to developing further health issues, such as gum disease. By possessing knowledge about this condition, they are in a powerful position to prevent it from ever occurring.

There is also some scientific evidence to suggest that diabetes may not only lead to increased chance of developing gum disease, but that developing gum disease may also affect blood glucose and increase your chances of developing diabetes. This link is yet to be fully established, but it offers a further incentive to maintain an excellent routine for dental health.

What causes gum diseases?

Gum disease is a bacterial infection that inflames the gum line. Bacteria are usually the culprit for gum disease. The problem is exacerbated by the increase of tartar and plaque on the teeth and in the crevices of the gums. Overtime the infection can also cause problems with the teeth and even gum bone. There are two key phases of gum disease – gingivitis, which is the initial and milder phase of the condition and periodontal disease, which is the advanced and much more serious phase.

Gingivitis occurs when bacteria leftover from the food that you eat release toxins and cause an infection. This begins to affect the gum tissue and causes symptoms such as:

• foul breath
• bad taste in the mouth
• bleeding gums
• dark red coloured gums

Gingivitis is easily treated and reversed without causing serious or long-lasting dental health problems. However, if it is ignored it will eventually become periodontal disease, which can lead to lasting dental problems.

Periodontal disease may produce the following symptoms:

• Loose or wobbly teeth
• Abscesses
• Pus on the gum line
• The abscess and pressure may or may not produce sharp or throbbing tooth pain.
• Loss of teeth
• Gum recession (It could be general in an area or a receding gum on one tooth)
• Pockets of gum tissue

This stage of the condition is serious and requires professional dental attention. You may require some surgery in order to restore gum health and overcome the condition. If the infection is left to its own devices at this stage, you are likely to lose teeth, develop infection in the bone and it can even affect your heart health.

Normally gum disease is prevented simply by following a good home oral health routine. This should include cleaning your  gums and teeth twice every day, flossing and using a natural mouthwash with a scientifically formulated mix of botanical oils such as almond, peppermint, and spearmint, which have antibacterial properties. Such a routine will remove most of the bacteria that cause gum disease and leave your mouth fresh and clean.

Why do diabetics have increased risk of developing the condition?

Diabetics generally have a heightened risk of developing gum disease because they are more likely, as a rule, to develop bacterial infections.  There are a couple of reasons for this:

• Diabetics generally do not have circulation that is as effective as non-diabetics. Good blood circulation is needed to remove toxins from the gum tissue and deliver nutrients that lead to healthy gum tissue.
•  The bacteria that create problems love to feed on sugar. In diabetics who have poorly controlled blood sugar levels, the amount of sugar in the blood can encourage oral bacterial growth.
• Diabetics tend to have diminished immune function, which means that they have more trouble than non-diabetics at fighting off bacterial infection.

People with diabetes are also more likely to develop some other oral health problems such as oral thrush, cavities, dry mouth and mouth ulcers. It is, therefore, imperative that diabetics make looking after their teeth and gums a priority.

How diabetics can prevent developing gum disease

Diabetics can and should do several things to prevent developing gum disease:

• Oral hygiene – follow a good dental health routine every day, which should include brushing at least two times, but preferably three times a day; flossing your teeth every day and using an alcohol free mouthwash.
• Control blood sugar levels – it is important to maintain steady blood sugar levels in order to avoid developing gum disease as well as many other potential health conditions to which you are more susceptible as a diabetic. Ensure you visit your endocrinologist regularly so that blood sugar levels are being controlled and monitored in the most effective way possible.
• Cut down on processed foods – processed foods are higher in sugar, sodium and fats and lower in nutrients that you need to fight off infection and build healthy gum tissue.
• Drink plenty of water to flush away bacteria from the mouth.
• Visit your dentist regularly – your dentist is able to see the signs of periodontal gum disease before you notice the symptoms. It is therefore important to visit your dentist for a check-up every six months. They are also able to remove plaque and tartar that can lead to gum disease.
• Use appropriate dental products – some dental products out there are not actually all that good for your oral health. Make sure you select toothpastes and mouthwashes that are free from alcohol and sodium lauryl sulphate. Natural products are good alternatives.

Periodontal disease and diabetes are seen together all too often by dentists. But, by following the above advice, you can protect your oral health. By being proactive about your health, you can prevent potentially serious conditions such as periodontitis, which often affect diabetics.

Gum disease is experienced by adults in epidemic proportions, yet few people really understand the causes of this condition. Few understand gingivitis and periodontitis treatment options when considering how to effectively protect their teeth and gums. By understanding more about your own oral health and how to monitor it effectively, you can avoid having to undergo expensive and potentially painful dental procedures.

Gingivitis is the first phase of gum disease and it usually presents itself with mild symptoms. It can be reasonably easily reversed with good oral hygiene practice and a thorough, professional cleaning by your dentist. If gingivitis is not treated and gum health restored, then the damage will likely increase.

Gingivitis Symptoms

There are a number of signs that you may have developed gingivitis. If you notice any of these symptoms, then you should visit your dentist immediately in order to reverse the condition, before you begin to experience more advanced symptoms of periodontal disease. Look out for:

• Swollen gums.
• Gums that bleed after brushing or eating.
• Darker or redder than normal gums.
• Persistent bad breath that is present even after brushing your teeth.

By visiting a dentist every six months for a check-up and complete cleaning, you can protect your oral health and also avoid developing gum disease. Your dentist is able to spot the early signs of the condition before you notice them. They can also teach you the right techniques to brush and floss your teeth.

How to Reverse Gingivitis

Generally, it is pretty easy to overcome gingivitis and renew your dental health. All you normally need to do is to follow a regular dental hygiene program at home, which is directed by your dentist. This should include:

• Brushing at least 2 times daily, ideally after meals.
• Floss your teeth to remove food particles that get stuck between teeth.
• Use a natural mouthwash to rinse away residual bacteria (commercial mouthwash can potentially cause more harm than good – beware of toxic ingredients).

By completing these three simple steps you can eradicate much of the bacteria and plaque that grow in your mouth on a daily basis and which are the chief cause of gum disease. Regular brushing, flossing, and rinsing are required as the bacteria are consistently multiplying in your mouth after you eat or drink.

What Happens if Gingivitis is Ignored?

If you ignore the signs of gingivitis and allow the condition to advance, then your gum tissue will deteriorate. Eventually, the gum tissue will become so infected that you will develop periodontal disease.

What happens is that the bacteria in your mouth cause inflammation and infection, which work their way down into the roots of the teeth. When the infection gets down under the gum line, it causes periodontal pockets where large amounts of bacteria can collect and cause more serious infection.

Gingivitis can be easily and quickly treated and you will not experience long-term oral health problems, but periodontal disease is another story entirely. If you have developed periodontal disease, then you are likely to have to undergo more intensive treatments provided by your dentist, or a specialized periodontal dentist.

Treatments can be surgical or non-surgical. Non-surgical treatments generally involve deep cleaning and trying to reduce the amount of bacteria around the gum tissue.  By eradicating bacteria that have collected in periodontal pockets and on the gum surface you can stop the disease from progressing.

If the gum disease is very advanced, then surgical procedures are able to restore some aspects of your dental health. Unfortunately, when the periodontitis is severe, there may be some irreversible problems such as tooth loss.

Treatments for Periodontitis

There are a variety of treatments that may be utilized by your dentist when you are suffering from periodontitis. The procedure that is chosen for you will depend on the severity of the condition and may be performed by a regular dentist or a specialized dentist, known as a periodontist.

To overcome this condition requires a series of procedures, medications, and other dental care. It is a lengthy process to restore the damage effects of periodontal disease.

There are four potential phases of treatment for periodontitis:

1. Cleaning and scaling of the teeth and gums
2. Surgery to restore the gum tissue or remove damaged tissue
3. Medication such as antibiotics may be used to prevent further bacterial infection
4. Maintenance of gum health and observation

The following explains some of the different periodontitis treatments that are currently being used by dentists:

Non-Surgical Procedures

Non-surgical procedures are usually the first options for treating periodontal disease. They are generally performed when the condition is not too far advanced.

Scaling and Root Planing: Scaling and root planing are commonly performed together to try and remove bacteria and tartar that cause gum disease. Scaling seeks to remove bacteria and tartar by scraping them away using a special dental instrument. Root planing smoothes out the tooth root and removes combats the infection. This treatment is also known as root surface debridement.

Your dentist may use a local anesthetic to limit pain or discomfort during this procedure. The amount of discomfort you are likely to experience depends on how deep the periodontal pockets have become.

Following the procedure you may:

• • Have some discomfort or swelling around the site where the procedure was performed.
  • Experience increased tooth sensitivity.
  • Be recommended over the counter pain relief such as ibuprofen.
  • Have to postpone flossing and brush gently in order to avoid aggravating the area.
  • Be required to use a chlorhexidine antibacterial mouthwash.

Laser Treatment: Some dentists now use laser therapy to remove damaged or infected gum tissue and tartar. It can also be used to reduce inflammation of the gums.

Antibiotics: Since periodontal disease is caused by a bacterial infection, effective treatment plans will often involve a course of antibiotics. These may be prescribed by the dentist as a tablet or a topical solution to be applied directly to the infected area. Normally, antibiotics will be used along with other non-surgical options.

Surgical Procedures

These days non-surgical treatments for periodontal disease are very effective. In most cases, the condition can be resolved using non-surgical methods. In some circumstances, however,  the dentist might decide that surgery is required.

Surgical procedures are generally used when non-surgical efforts have not eradicated the condition, or when the dentist judges that the periodontal disease is too far advanced to benefit from milder treatments.

There are a couple of different treatments for periodontitis that involve surgery. These may be done to restore the gums that have receded or to eradicate diseased gum, and even bone, tissue. The surgeries that can be performed generally fall into one of two categories:

• Pocket reduction procedures – to reduce the pockets that form around the teeth and collect bacteria and infection.
• Regenerative procedures – to restore healthy gum tissue.

Gingivectomy: This procedure is normally performed by a specialist dentist and seeks to remove diseased gum tissue. As well as this, it also restores the receded gums in order to reduce the periodontal pockets where the bacteria collect.

Flap Correction Procedure: This dental surgery will clean the teeth roots and can also repair the damage done to the bone where infection has spread.

Gum Grafting: With uncontrolled infection, the dentist may need to remove diseased gum tissue. In this case, the diseased tissue might need to be replaced with healthy tissue. To do this, the dentist will remove healthy tissue from another site and use it to replace the infected gums.

Tooth Removal: When you have advanced gum disease, the gums begin to recede. One of the most important jobs that your gums do is to keep your teeth firmly in place. When they recede they are unable to offer enough support and the teeth can become loose and even fall out. If the dentist sees that the gums are unable to support the tooth due to disease, then it may be necessary to remove them and replace them with the prosthesis.

Can Surgery Cure Periodontal Disease?

No. Surgery is not able to “cure” the condition. What the non-surgical and surgical treatments can offer is a cleansing. These procedures can restore the gum health to a certain extent; however, it is up to the patient to ensure that they follow the treatment fully. Only full and consistent treatment can keep bacteria in check.

Gum disease is caused by bacterial overgrowth and infection. In order to “cure” the condition, consistent removal of the bacteria that accumulate in your mouth every day is needed.

Once dental surgery or other treatments have been performed, the patient needs to be very careful about home oral hygiene.

Looking After your Dental Health

Each time you eat something bacteria grow in your mouth. The bacteria and your saliva mix and produce the sticky, yellowish substance known as plaque. Plaque can harden into what is called tartar. This is what your dentist scrapes away with a metal object while at your cleaning visit. The destructive process of bacteria, plaque and tartar are one of the causes of gum disease.

In order to prevent these substances from causing disease, you need to follow a consistent home dental hygiene routine. This should include:

• Brushing – at least twice a day, but preferably after each meal.
• Flossing.
• Using a mouthwash.
• Visiting your dentist for check-ups.

By following the above four steps, you will be able to keep bacterial growth at bay. This is the only effective way to prevent infections, disease, cavities and other dental problems in the long-term.

Selecting Dental Products

In addition to following a stringent oral health routine, you need to be careful about the dental products that you use. Some products available on the market contain chemicals that can actually damage sensitive gum tissue.

• Sodium Lauryl Sulphate: Try to avoid products that contain sodium lauryl sulfate. This chemical is a foaming agent that is used in many dental preparations, shampoos, beauty products and cleaning liquids. However, it can worsen existing oral health issues and damage your gum tissue. Some studies have even identified this ingredient as a potential carcinogenic.
• Alcohol – A number of mouthwash products contain alcohol, but it is best to avoid it. The reason is that alcohol actually dries out your mouth, which makes it more favorable for bacteria to flourish. Since gum disease is caused by an overgrowth of bacteria, you want to avoid encouraging its presence.

When you are shopping for dental products, check the labels to ensure that they do not contain either of the above chemicals. Products that contain natural ingredients, such as tea tree or peppermint oil, are a great alternative to standard toothpaste and mouthwash that have harsh ingredients.

Further Tips for Protecting Oral Health

In order to combat periodontal disease, there are a couple of extra things that you can do. Take a look at your lifestyle and make some simple changes that can improve not only your oral health but your overall well-being.

• Quit smoking – there are few things worse for your teeth and gums than smoking. It encourages bacterial growth and infection; leaches vitamins from your organism that are required for healthy teeth and gums and reduces circulation to the gum tissue.
• Sugar – Bacteria just love to feed on sugar, so cut out as much sugar from your diet as possible.
• Eat fresh – reduce the amount of processed foods that you eat and replace them with fresh produce. This will provide you with much-needed vitamins and minerals to support good dental health.
• Reduce stress – stress is one of the biggest causes of illness and disease. By finding better ways to handle stress, you will enjoy a much better level of health.
• Visit your dentist regularly – check-ups every six months are necessary In order to maintain good oral health and prevent any problems from developing into acute conditions. Ask your dentist how to reverse receding gums naturally with botanical oils such as spearmint and peppermint — effective bacteria killers.

Periodontal disease treatment can be very effective and help you to avoid long-term dental problems. However, prevention is always better so ensure that you follow the above advice in order to maintain a healthy mouth.

We all know that we should be looking after our teeth and following a good oral hygiene routine. However, most people do not pay close enough attention to brushing, flossing and rinsing their mouths. Eventually they have pain in the gums and teeth. The pain usually comes, however. long after the disease has been in process when they have advanced periodontitis symptoms. So what are the signs and symptoms of periodontal disease in advanced stages? In this article, we will learn more about the signs of periodontitis for which to be looking and their risk factors.

Most adults will develop some degree of gum disease infection. In addition, very few of us make it through adulthood without having to have fillings, crowns or undergo more serious dental procedures such as root canal surgery. It can do serious damage to our bank account and to your gum tissue and bone, and teeth. This can all be avoided in the early stages of gum disease with good proactive oral care and professional cleaning.

Mild gum disease

Advanced periodontal disease does not just appear from nowhere. It is a gradual process that begins with small amounts of bacteria irritating the gum tissue. Over time, it becomes mild gum disease and eventually a more serious health issue.

Gingivitis is generally the first kind of oral health problem that adults develop. This is a mild infection of the gingiva (gum tissue) and teeth. If you develop gingivitis, you are likely to notice some of the following symptoms:

• Swollen gums
• Redness and inflammation of the gum tissue
• Bad breath
• Bad taste in your mouth
• Bleeding gums when you brush your teeth

If you notice any of these signs, you should visit your dentist for a check-up so they can provide a deep clean to remove bacteria and plaque and give you advice about how to effectively treat the condition. When you notice the early signs of gingivitis and seek out advice, you are generally able to reverse the condition very easily.

Typically, treatment for gingivitis involves merely following your oral hygiene routine religiously. In order to restore your gum health, you will need to brush, floss and use a mouthwash at least twice a day. For best results have your dentist recommend products and show you how to brush and floss using the right technique. Alternatively, an electric toothbrush with an oscillating head may be a good choice to remove the maximum amount of bacteria and plaque with each brushing. Start good habits today. So start brushing and flossing today!

Advanced Gum disease

Periodontal disease, also known as periodontitis, is the stage that follows gingivitis. If a person does not seek out timely treatment when they have gingivitis, the bacterial infection will continue to develop. The plaque and bacteria that have accumulated under the gum line convert into tartar, which is a calcified substance that must be cleaned by a dental hygienist or dentist. Usually scaling and root planing is required.

If untreated with dental professional cleaning, this can lead to very serious infection and more serious dental problems. Unfortunately, when you have periodontal disease, you may not be able to fully reverse the condition and may experience some permanent damage to your dental health.

Some of the damaging symptoms that you may experience when you have periodontal disease include:

• Receding gums – where the gums pull away from the teeth, which diminishes the support they can offer to the teeth. Receded gums and teeth infections will continue if uncontrolled.
• Periodontal pockets – pockets, which look like puckered gum tissue, where the tooth and the gum meet. These are filled with harmful bacteria that further destroy the gum tissue and bone, and teeth.
• Loose teeth – since the gums have receded away from the teeth, they do not get enough support. This can result in teeth falling out. This is a permanent problem as teeth cannot be replaced and you will instead have to implant prosthetics.
• Periodontal Abscesses – since the bacterial infection is now quite advanced, abscesses can appear around the tooth root. These become very painful and can potentially leak out pus.
• Infected gum bone – infection can go all the way down into the bone and lead to a need for intensive anti-biotic treatment and surgery. Once you loose bone you cannot gain it back. Gum disease is very serious and should not be taken lightly.

Learn more about periodontitis treatment and its root cause.

Who is at risk of developing gum disease?

Children are unlikely to develop gum disease, but adults have a very high risk of developing gingivitis. As an adult, there are a couple of factors that may heighten your risk of developing gum disease:

• Not brushing teeth regularly or thoroughly
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Certain illnesses where the immune system function is impaired
• Eating a diet high in sugar or processed foods
• Pregnancy, menopause or other times of hormonal upheaval for women

How to Treat Periodontal Disease

Once you have developed advanced periodontal disease, it is imperative that you seek out professional cleaning and periodontitis treatment. By this stage it may be impossible to fully recover from the condition without permanent damage being felt. Boost your immune system and search out for powerful solutions.

Treatments may include a combination of non-surgical procedures where the bacteria, plaque and tartar are removed from the mouth:

• Scaling and root planing as part of professional cleaning at the dentist office by a dental professional.
• Medications such as antibiotics used to kill off the bacteria.
• Surgical procedures to remove bacteria or to restore healthy gum tissue.
• Natural tooth and gum oils to keep in constant contact with the bacteria.

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