What Is Gum Treatment? How Is It Treated?

In order for our teeth to be healthy, we must also pay attention to the care and health of the soft tissues surrounding the teeth. Gums are structures responsible for protecting and supporting tooth roots, and with this feature, they stand out as one of the most basic building blocks of oral health. However, many people underestimate gum problems and may be late in intervening. Specialist Dentist Emin Serhat Arıkan, serving patients in Adana, explained for you what gum treatment is, in which situations it is applied, and how the process progresses.

What Is Gum Treatment?

Gum treatment is a set of treatments applied to eliminate problems such as inflammation, bleeding, and recession in the gums. When diseases encountered in the gums are not diagnosed early and treated, tooth loss and jawbone damage may occur.

Gum treatment may require many different methods ranging from mild inflammation to advanced periodontitis cases. The treatment method is decided by considering the severity and prevalence of the disease.

What Are the Symptoms of Gum Diseases?

Many people may not notice the gum disease they are experiencing. Therefore, it is necessary to recognize the symptoms and consult a dentist as soon as they are noticed. These symptoms are as follows:

Occurrence of bleeding in the gums during brushing or eating
Feeling sensitivity, redness, and swelling in the gums
Feeling a bad smell or a bad taste in the mouth
Experiencing gum recession
Teeth appearing elongated (this means the gum has receded)
Teeth starting to wobble, appearance of gaps between teeth
Formation of abscesses and inflammatory discharge in the gums

All these symptoms vary depending on the level of gum diseases. Thanks to early diagnosis, the progression of gum diseases can be stopped.

What Are the Causes of Gum Diseases?

The primary cause of gum diseases is the plaque accumulating on the surface of the teeth and this plaque turning into tartar over time. All these prepare a suitable ground for the proliferation of bacteria and the formation of infection in the gums. Other causes of gum disease are as follows:

Insufficient oral care and hygiene
Smoking
Genetic predisposition
Hormonal changes occurring in the body
Diabetes
Systemic disorders
Daily life stress
Nutritional deficiencies
Mouth breathing
Incorrect or poorly made dental fillings or bridges can cause gum diseases.

What Are the Stages of Gum Treatment?

The treatment of gum diseases consists of different stages depending on the level of the disease. Generally, the process in gum treatments progresses as follows:

Examination and Diagnosis – First, a dentist specialized in periodontology comprehensively evaluates the condition of the patient's gums. Then, they measure the periodontal pockets using probing, X-ray examinations, and clinical examination methods. It is examined whether there is any loss in the patient's bone tissue. In this way, the diagnosis regarding gum disease is made.

Scaling (Tartar Cleaning) – Primarily, plaque and tartar accumulated on the surface of the teeth must be cleaned with the help of ultrasonic devices. This procedure is often performed painlessly without the need for anesthesia.

Root Planing – Inflamed tissues reaching deeper points in the periodontal pockets need to be scraped and cleaned in this way. Since deeper layers are reached, the root planing procedure must be performed while the patient is under the effect of local anesthesia. It is a procedure that can be completed within a few sessions.

Surgical Intervention - Advanced Gum Treatment – Surgical intervention may be necessary in cases where periodontitis has reached advanced levels. With flap operations, the gum is lifted, and the infected, inflamed section underneath is cleaned. Afterward, the lifted gum is closed with stitches.

Recovery and Controls – After the treatment, the patient is informed about how to maintain oral hygiene. Subsequently, the patient is expected to come for check-ups at regular intervals. Supportive treatments can be applied where deemed necessary.

What Are the Methods Used in Gum Treatment?

Apart from classical methods, there are also some modern and effective methods used today in gum treatment. If we need to list the treatment methods used in gum treatment:

Classical curettage method and scaling
Laser gum treatment (It is preferred especially because it causes fewer complaints of bleeding and pain and provides the patient with a faster recovery opportunity.)
Controlling infection with antibiotic treatment
The patient's recovery process after gum treatment can be supported with medicated mouthwash and gel applications.

What Happens If Gum Diseases Are Not Treated?

Failure to treat gum diseases on time may lead the patient to face much more serious health problems. Among these:

Loosening of teeth occurs along with the loss of gum and bone support, and the patient may face the danger of tooth loss.
Jawbone resorption may begin, and the supporting tissues located under the gum tissue become damaged.
With gum recession, teeth look as if they have elongated, and aesthetically disturbing situations may occur.
If the infection in the gum is not treated, the inflammation may progress and create a ground for systemic diseases. This can bring along different diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, premature birth, and diabetes.

What Should Be Considered After Gum Treatment?

Patients need to pay attention to certain issues to protect the health of their gums after gum treatment. These are:

Brushing teeth at least twice a day with the correct method
Using dental floss and interdental brushes
Using mouthwashes as recommended by your dentist
Avoiding habits such as nail biting or pen biting and not brushing your teeth harshly
Smoking should be quit or at least reduced.
Routine dentist check-ups should be attended without interruption.

What Should Be Done to Prevent Gum Diseases?

Among the measures that can be taken to prevent gum diseases:

Oral care and hygiene
Brushing teeth twice a day
Using dental floss
Going to a dentist check-up every six months and having scaling done
Creating a balanced and healthy nutrition routine and consuming an adequate amount of water
Combatting stress factors in your life
Adopting a regular and healthy sleep habit

Gum Treatment Prices

The prices and costs of gum treatments are shaped according to the treatment method applied, the number of sessions to be applied, the technical equipment of the clinic, and the expertise and experience of the physician. You can contact Specialist Dentist Emin Serhat Arıkan, who serves patients in Adana, to get current and clear information about gum treatment prices.