Gum Disease

Gum disease—also known as periodontal disease—is a bacterial infection that can harm the gums and bone that support your teeth. The bacteria in our mouths are constantly creating a sticky substance—plaque—that clings to the teeth. Daily brushing and flossing can remove most plaque. But plaque that remains can gradually harden into a tougher substance called tartar, which brushing can’t help. Only a professional cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist can remove tartar.

The bacteria in our mouths are constantly creating a sticky substance called plaque that clings to the teeth. With regular brushing and flossing, most of this sticky substance can be removed. If bacterial plaque on teeth isn’t removed, the gums can become infected and inflamed. This is gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease.

If a build up of plaque remains on teeth, it can gradually harden into a tougher substance called tartar, which brushing can’t help. Only a professional cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist can remove tartar.

If bacterial plaque on teeth isn’t removed, the gums can become infected and inflamed. This is called gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease. In this early stage, infected gums may be bright red and swollen; gum bleeding can also occur. The good news: Gingivitis can often be reversed with professional cleanings and good at-home care.

Gingivitis can often be reversed with professional cleanings and good at-home care. Without treatment, the gums can begin to pull away from the teeth, creating pockets of diseased tissue. This allows bacteria to spread to the roots of the teeth, which can make pockets even deeper.

Once a person has gingivitis, without treatment, the gums can begin to pull away from the teeth, creating pockets of diseased tissue. This allows bacteria to spread to the roots of the teeth, which can make pockets even deeper. Over time, the bones, gums, and connective tissue that support the teeth can be permanently damaged. Eventually, unsupported teeth can become loose and have to be removed.

Over time, the bones, gums, and connective tissue that support the teeth can be permanently damaged. Eventually, unsupported teeth can become loose and have to be removed. Gum disease does not have to get that far. With timely treatment, you and your dental professional can target infection, which may allow your gums to heal, get stronger, and hold your teeth more securely.

With timely treatment, you and your dental professional can target infection, which may allow your gums to heal, get stronger, and hold your teeth more securely. Your dental professional measures pocket depth with a tiny probe. A pocket of 4 mm or more may be a sign of gum disease. Over time, pockets that grow deeper may indicate gum disease is getting worse. And pockets that become less deep can be a positive sign that your treatment is working.

A procedure known as scaling and root planing (SRP) is a widely used treatment for gum disease. SRP is highly effective, but it has a few limitations, for example, dental instruments cannot always reach the base of deeper pockets in the gum tissue, where infection can continue to thrive. That’s why many dental professionals now use a combination approach that pairs an antibiotic such as minocycline HCl which is directly applied to the infected areas.

There is a combination approach that pairs an antibiotic, such as minocycline HCl that is locally applied directly at the gum infection site, along with scaling and root planing. Fighting gum disease takes time, and at first you may think there’s no improvement. But your dental professional often can see change long before you do. That’s why it’s important to keep up with your appointments and treatment for infected gums.