What Is Gum Disease and How Is It Treated?
Learn about gum disease causes, symptoms, stages, and treatments. Discover how to maintain healthy gums and when to seek professional care.
Gum Disease Treatments - Overview
Gum disease treatments are used to manage inflammation, infection, and tissue damage around the teeth. Early-stage gum disease, known as gingivitis, may cause redness, swelling, and bleeding. Without treatment, it can progress to periodontitis, which may damage the supporting bone and increase the risk of tooth loss.
Treatment options include professional dental cleaning, scaling and root planing, antimicrobial therapies, gum surgery, bone grafting, and guided tissue regeneration. Gum grafting may also be recommended for patients with gum recession and exposed tooth roots.
The treatment plan depends on the severity of the disease, bone loss, pocket depth, smoking habits, medical conditions, and oral hygiene. Long-term periodontal maintenance is often necessary because gum disease can return. Regular dental examinations and professional cleaning play an important role in prevention and ongoing management.