You may not acknowledge and express gratitude to your gums for being the unsung heroes of your oral health. However, your gums do a lot behind the scenes. They act as a seal against bacterial attack, thereby protecting the vulnerable areas of your teeth.
The rule is simple! If you do not have healthy gums, you do not have healthy teeth. Periodontitis damages your teeth to the same extent as your gums.
It is a common infection that damages your teeth’s soft tissue and bones. If left untreated, you may eventually erode your alveolar bone as well. In this blog, we will discuss how periodontitis treatments at home differs from surgical intervention and when you exactly need it.
What is Periodontitis?
In simpler terms, periodontitis is inflammation built up around your tooth. This inflammation is the outcome of bacterial and other microbial attacks on your tooth surface and the area surrounding it. This is due to long-term debri and food deposits. As these bacteria multiply, your immune system starts reacting, thereby leading to inflammation and eventually bone loss.
It is responsible for bleeding, soreness, and swollen gums. Leaving it unattended or untreated may result in bone loss, tooth loss, bad breath, and other associated oral health complications. Mild periodontitis is still manageable with a deep dental cleaning. However, you must visit your dentist to undergo dental surgery for the more severe ones.
Periodontitis is more likely to trouble you as you age. People over 30 are more vulnerable to this disease, but it can impact anyone maintaining poor oral hygiene.
Periodontitis Treatment at Home
Periodontitis treatments at home can be managed with several natural remedies, but it’s crucial to consult a dentist for proper diagnosis and professional treatment. Here are some effective home remedies that can help alleviate symptoms:
Salt Water Rinse
- Mix 1 teaspoon of salt with a cup of warm water.
- Rinse your mouth several times a day to reduce inflammation and bacteria.
Oil Pulling
- Swish 1-2 teaspoons of coconut or sesame oil in your mouth for 15-30 minutes.
- Spit out the oil and rinse your mouth with water.
Turmeric Paste
- Mix turmeric powder with water to form a paste.
- Apply it to your gums and leave for a few minutes before rinsing.
Tea Tree Oil
- Dilute a few drops of tea tree oil in water or a carrier oil.
- Use as a mouthwash or apply directly to the gums.
Aloe Vera Mouth Rinse
- Mix 1 teaspoon of pure aloe vera gel with 8 ounces of water.
- Rinse your mouth several times a day.
Vitamin C
- Increase intake of vitamin C-rich foods or supplements to boost gum health.
Good Oral Hygiene
Good and well-balanced oral hygiene is key to your gum disease treatment at home.
The tips for good oral hygiene include:
- Brushing your teeth twice.
- Relying on flossing habits with interdental brushing.
- Visiting your dentist once per year.
- Avoiding frequent use of tobacco products.
- Limiting your intake of food and alcohol.
- Seeking immediate dental advice during emergencies.
Non-Surgical Treatments for Periodontal Disease
Non-surgical periodontitis treatments at home is quite an easy-to-follow routine. The procedure aims to clean the bacterial buildup around your tooth pockets. In this way, your bones and tissues are further prevented from all forms of destruction.
Scaling and Cleaning
Scaling and cleaning are beneficial in restoring your periodontal health. These procedures involve:
- Scaling is used to cleanse your tooth surface over your gum line and root planing below the gumline.
- Polishing to smoothen your tooth’s rough areas to prevent plaque buildup.
- All these procedures are followed by a trained dentist.
Medications
Many medicated mouthwashes can help you manage your gum disease treatment at home. Some of them include:
- Gels, rinses, and other products made from chlorhexidine.
- Antibiotic compounds, including gel.
- A dental compound containing minocycline hydrochloride microspheres.
- Oral antibiotics.
Surgical Treatments for Severe Periodontal Disease
Severe periodontitis treatments at home is difficult. You must undergo a surgical correction procedure such as bone grafting, gum grafts, flap surgery, and guided tissue regeneration.
These procedures aim to reduce pockets, regenerate the health of your bones and tissues, and address any concerns about gum recession. They ultimately improve your overall oral health and prevent further tooth loss.
Here’s a more detailed explanation of the popular surgical considerations for your periodontitis:
Flap Surgery
Flap surgery is primarily used to access the roots of teeth and underlying bone for thorough cleaning and treatment of infected tissue. It is indicated for deep pocket formation, gum recession, bone loss, and persistent inflammation that does not respond to non-surgical treatments.
Pocket Reduction Surgery
This procedure aims to reduce the depth of periodontal pockets, making them easier to clean and reducing the risk of further infection. Similar to flap surgery, the gums are pulled back to access the roots.
Bone Grafting
A bone grafting procedure is used to rebuild bone lost during periodontitis. This process helps stimulate bone regeneration, thereby preventing further tooth loss.
Guided Tissue Regeneration (GTR)
Guided Tissue Regeneration (GTR) is a surgical procedure that promotes the growth of lost bone and periodontal tissues around teeth. It involves placing a barrier membrane to guide the healing process and support the regeneration of bone and other tissues.
Gum Grafts
The gum grafting technique is used to address gum recession issues, where the gum recedes with exposed tooth roots.
Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP) and Platelet-rich Fibrin (PRF)
These are growth treatments for speeding up your healing process and promoting tissue regeneration.
How to Choose the Right Periodontal Treatment
Choosing the right periodontal treatment involves the first step of understanding the severity of your dental condition. You can discuss your available treatment options with your dentist or periodontist. There are a few essential factors for you to consider before making a choice.
Understanding Your Dental Condition
To understand your dental condition, you should know how severe your periodontitis is. You should also monitor the symptoms and their causes. Consult a dentist for this.
Treatment Options
You have several treatment options available, including surgical and non-surgical ones.
Selecting Your Periodontist
Your dentist may perform the procedure himself or recommend you to a periodontist. If you are being referred somewhere else, you should consider the following:
- Experience
- Reviews
- Treatment options
- Overall cost and insurance
- Comfort and convenience
What to Expect During Periodontal Treatment?
During your periodontal treatment, you can expect the following:
- Initial consultation for medical and dental examination.
- Measurement of your pocket depths.
- X-ray sessions.
- Treatment discussions.
- Non-surgical treatment options include deep cleaning, root planing under local anesthesia, antibiotic therapy, and laser periodontal therapy.
- Surgical treatment options include flap surgery, bone grafting, guided tissue regeneration, platelet-rich plasma, and gum grafting.
Recovery and Aftercare Options Following Treatment
There are several recovery and aftercare options that you should follow after undergoing your periodontitis treatment. Some important aspects include:
- Choosing a healthy lifestyle.
- Maintaining impeccable oral hygiene.
- Follow any prescription medication instructions.
- Avoid vigorous brushing or flossing in the treated area until healed.
- Rest for the first day and avoid strenuous activities for 48 hours to prevent bleeding and promote healing.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption to ensure proper healing and prevent complications.
How Much Does Periodontal Disease Treatment Cost?
The cost of periodontal disease treatment varies widely based on the severity of the condition and the type of procedure required. For mild cases, non-surgical treatments like scaling and root planing can cost between $100 to $300 per quadrant.
More advanced cases involving surgical interventions, such as flap surgery or bone grafting, can range from $1,000 to $3,000 or more.
The severity of your dental issues, the type of treatment, the location of your dentist clinic, and the number of teeth impacted all influence your periodontal disease treatment cost.
Takeaway
In this blog, we covered how periodontitis treatments at home differs from the surgical intervention at your dentist’s clinic. However, it depends on how severe your dental condition is.
The ultimate goal is thoroughly cleaning your teeth, the surrounding areas and preventing further damage. Successful treatment and good daily dental care are the keys to a healthy oral regime.
RiverRockDental is your one-stop solution for all dentistry services. If you are looking for a dentist in Shakopee, book a consultation with us today.
Give us a visit at our dental office or contact us today!
Our address: 403 1st Ave East Shakopee, MN 55379
Phone: (952) 445-5556
