Gum treatment

Gum problems: risk factors

In addition to poor dental hygiene, which is the main cause of periodontal problems, other factors can also cause periodontal disease.

• Tobacco, alcohol and an unbalanced diet. By promoting the accumulation of plaque, they increase the risk of inflammation.
• Hormonal changes during pregnancy: the many hormonal changes during pregnancy increase the sensitivity of the gums to the enzymes released by plaque bacteria.
• Not enough solid food. The absence of chewing limits muscle activity and weakens the supporting tissues.
• Reduced salivary flow. Age, but also the use of certain medications (antidepressants,) or diseases that affect the salivary glands can lead to dry mouth which complicates the removal of dental plaque.
• Diabetes.

What are the main treatments for gum disease?

Restoring good oral hygiene

The first thing to do is to restore good dental hygiene and your dentist is there to guide you and rectify your bad habits. There are several things you can do to slow down the disease and avoid it. As we said before, periodontitis can be avoided most of the time thanks to a rigorous oral hygiene which includes :

• Using a toothbrush, manual or electric, with soft bristles, at least twice a day.
• The use of dental floss and interdental brushes to ensure the effective removal of plaque.
• Choosing a good toothpaste with antibacterial action.
• Rinsing.

A complete cleaning of the mouth: scaling and surfacing

Although periodontitis is caused by bacteria, antibiotics are not always necessary to treat it. Instead, your dentist will perform a thorough cleaning of your teeth, their roots and gums.

Surfacing is a technical procedure carried out under local anaesthetic using manual curettes or ultrasound equipment. It aims to remove subgingival tartar, in the area where the bone tissue has been destroyed, and to dislodge the bacteria clinging to the root of the tooth exposed as a result of bone loss.

To avoid the return of periodontitis, it is important to carry out regular dental cleanings. At Turó Park Clinics in Barcelona, our dentists are here to inform you about the intervals between sessions and to ensure that you receive the best possible cleanings.

Surgical treatment

In 5-10% of cases, scaling or root planing proves insufficient and surgery may be required to thoroughly clean the root of the tooth and, if possible, recreate supporting tissue. The dental surgeon must then open the gum to clean hard-to-reach areas and add bone if the loss is significant. The operation is performed under local anaesthetic.

In the most severe cases of periodontal disease, a gum graft may be considered to restore the gum tissue and prevent the teeth from receding. A bone graft can also be used to rebuild the bone that has been destroyed.