Gum problems are caused by thick germs clinging to gums and teeth. Gum treatment starts with figuring out what kind you have. If your gums are puffy or you see blood in the sink when you brush, you might be looking at the early stages. If you experience severe gum and bone damage, it could be the more advanced Periodontitis. Either way, you’ll need to commit to a new routine to solve it, incorporating brushing, flossing and rinsing.
1. Give Your Mouth an Improved Routine
Gum problems mainly develop when we slacken on our oral care. When they are in the early stage, the solution is simply upgrading your routine to wash away grime. Early gum problems are preventable if you take immediate action.
Tip: Brushing after meals, flossing, and swishing with a mouthwash twice daily can stop gum problems in their tracks. Schedule regular dentist checkups, because when plaque develops into tartar, it can only be removed with professional cleanings.
2. Get a Thorough Cleaning
If sticking to improved oral health routines isn’t reversing symptoms, you likely have a more advanced infection where deep, hard-to-reach germs pockets have formed around the base of your teeth. A deep cleaning by a dentist or periodontist every 6 months is the best way to rid your mouth of tartar and prevent further damage.
3. Pick up Medicated Reinforcements
If problems persist, antibiotics may be prescribed to fully eradicate the infection-causing micro-organisms in your mouth. These range from topical gels that you spread into gaps, to antibiotic swishes.
4. Leave it to the Experts
To treat more advanced forms of gum problems, dentists may recommend one of several types of gum surgery or even a combination of them. Options include
Flap surgery- where gums are lifted away from the teeth, tartar is removed and gums are sutured/stitched back around the teeth
Soft-tissue grafts- which replace worn-away gums to cover exposed roots
Bone grafts- to replace lost bone with grafts from humans or animals, or even man-made materials
Tissue regeneration - to try to grow back lost bone
These procedures are as complicated as they sound, so you’ll want to avoid them if you can. Brush and rinse twice a day and floss daily to prevent gum problems and maintain healthy gums.
