Diagnosing and Treatment of Gum Disease

Diagnosing Gum Disease

To determine whether you are dealing with gum disease, the dentist will complete an examination to check for:

• Gums that are bleeding


• Buildup of ay tartar and plaque below and above the gums


• Pockets that have formed between your gums and teeth


• Areas where the gums are shrinking away from the teeth

The dentist will end up taking x-rays of your teeth to determine if you have any bone damage or other underlying problems.

Treatment Options for Gum Disease

For those who have a mild instance of gum disease, you can probably eliminate the problem with a regular routine of flossing and brushing your teeth on a daily basis. Regular cleanings at your dental office will also help to eliminate the problem. Once the disease has worsened and turned into periodontitis, the dentist will end up cleaning your teeth with scaling and root planning. This procedure will help to remove the buildup of tartar and plaque both below and above your gum line. It may also be necessary to take an antibiotic to help eliminate potential infection inside of your mouth. Once the disease is extremely severe, you may have no other option beyond surgery to help correct the problem.

Give our office a call today (205) 545-8001

The last part of this series will talk about Preventing Gum Disease