Gum Therapy

During gum therapy, dental practitioners use a probing tool to measure the pockets between the gums and the teeth. If the space is smaller than 3 millimeters deep then your gums are considered healthy. However, if the pockets are larger than 5 millimeters then the best treatment is undergoing a deep cleaning that includes gum therapy. 

What Causes Gum Therapy?

The need for gum therapy occurs when someone has developed periodontal disease, or gum disease. This disease happens when someone does not do a good job at removing plaque from their teeth through daily dental hygiene routines like flossing. Gum disease includes four different stages that are a progressively worse version of the same disease. The four stages are listed and explained below.

1. Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontal disease and is considered to be reversible. This condition occurs when there is a large amount of plaque buildup on your teeth. It often does not hurt but there are few noticeable signs or symptoms. Some things to look for if you are concerned that you may have gingivitis include: swollen gums, occasional bad breath, and sensitive gums when brushing or flossing. Also look for redness, bleeding, and gum tenderness. This is the only stage of periodontal disease that is reversible with the help of a dentist or a dental hygienist. Visit a dentist for effective swollen gums treatments right away. 

2. Slight Periodontal Disease

The next stage of periodontal disease is slight periodontal disease. This occurs after the bacteria and infection has reached the bone. Once the infection reaches the bone it starts to destroy the bone. The symptoms include everything that you would see from gingivitis, like bleeding gums and bad breath. However, you may notice probing depths. Probing depths are the space between the base of the tooth and the lining of the gums. Once the disease has escalated, you may notice small probing depths around your teeth at less than 5 millimeters. After this stage, gum disease is irreversible.

3. Moderate Periodontal Disease

The third stage is similar to stage two but includes larger probing depths. During this stage the probing depths are six millimeters in size. If diagnosed, the dentist will likely recommend gum therapy. Without the proper care, this stage can lead to shifting teeth, bone loss, and tooth loss.

4. Advanced Periodontal Disease

The last stage of gum disease occurs when there is a larger amount of bacteria in the gums and the bone loss increases to about 50% or higher. You may also experience pus-filled gums, sensitivity to cold, and extreme bad breath. Surgery is a requirement for this stage and could lead to significant tooth loss if untreated. 

How Can You Prevent the Need for Gum Therapy?

The best way to prevent having gum therapy is by maintaining a consistent dental hygiene routine at home. This should include brushing and flossing multiple times a day and going to the dentist at least twice a year. According to WebMD, other ways to prevent developing gum disease include eating a balanced diet and quitting smoking. These activities put your overall health and the health of your mouth at risk.

At Pure Holistic Dental we offer gum therapy services that include deep cleaning, scaling and root planing and gingivectomy services. We also specialize in ozone dental treatment and non-fluoridated options to promote health and decrease infection. To learn more about the best dental services available, visit the Pure Holistic Dental website to learn more today.