Non-Invasive Gum Disease Treatment

Gum disease, or periodontitis, usually begins with a bacterial infection of the gums called gingivitis. If left untreated, gingivitis can turn into gum disease, causing serious infections and sometimes tooth loss. According to WebMD, gum disease is the leading cause of adult tooth loss. Non-invasive treatment methods are preferred to surgery, and your dentist will most likely try several non-surgical options to treat your gum disease before suggesting surgery.

Professional Cleaning and Home Care

• Everyone should get a professional dental cleaning twice per year. If your dentist notices signs of gum disease, he may recommend more frequent professional cleanings. Using an electric toothbrush can help remove more plaque than a manual brush, and daily flossing will also help fight gum disease. Brush at least twice a day but try to brush after every meal. A mouth rinse, such as ACT or Listerine, can help reduce plaque build-up as well.

Antibiotics

• There is some debate among dentists as to whether antibiotics are an effective treatment for gum disease. Many dentists do prescribe antibiotics to help fight the bacteria that cause gum disease. Antibiotics are available in oral and topical forms. Topical antibiotics include mouth rinses and medicated threads inserted in between teeth and gums. Oral antibiotics are usually only prescribed after topical treatments have failed.

Scaling and Root Planing

• Usually, scaling and root planing are performed together, and most patients who undergo these treatments do not require further invasive procedures. Your dentist may use various dental scraping instruments or an ultrasonic device to remove tartar build-up and bacteria from your teeth and gums during the scaling process. Your dentist will then smooth any rough spots on your teeth to prevent further tartar build-up. Root planing also removes excess bacteria and gives your gums a clean, smooth surface to reattach to your teeth.

Tray Delivery Device

• A tray delivery device, called Perio Protect, is a medicated tray similar to a fluoride tray that some dentists use to treat gum disease. The tray is custom-fit from molds of your teeth. Your dentist will fill the tray with different bacteria- and plaque-fighting medications, depending on what medications he considers most suitable for your particular case. According to the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the marketing of the tray, but did not state that the Perio Protect tray was a safe or effective treatment for gum disease. The AAP states that numerous studies have suggested that topical medications may not penetrate deep enough to reach the source of gum disease.