While there are certainly treatment and prevention options, there really is no true cure for gingivitis. No one can go out and take a shot to prevent gingivitis or periodontitis from forming in the mouth because the bacteria responsible for causing the conditions is always present in the oral cavity. Therefore, unless you are always vigilant and try to keep those bacteria from breeding out of control, they may spread and cause the infection which leads to gum disease and gingivitis problems.
Again, while no actual cure exists, gingivitis treatment tends to be relatively simple and cost effective. In many cases, just something with even a mild antiseptic is enough to kill off the harmful bacteria that can create chronic gingivitis problems. Here are simple but effective remedies for treating mild gum disease or gingivitis and trying to get closer to the cure::
- Saltwater rinses
- Prepare diluted solution of hydrogen peroxide and water
- Using toothpaste products with baking soca
- Topical ointment with antiseptic properties
Treatment of gum disease in its more dangerous stages is often performed by a dental specialist called a periodontist. By the time the condition progresses to this state, mild gum disease and gingivitis tend not to be the main issues. Instead, advanced ulcerative gingivitis or periodontitis may now be present which may be damaging or even destroying your gums and supporting bone tissue. In order to stop the bacteria and prevent further damage from being done to the gingival or bone tissue, advanced periodontal surgery will be required.
When the bacteria responsible for gum disease and gingivitis spreads below the gum line, then an advanced periodontal surgery will most likely be required. Some of the more common and effective procedures include:
1. Pocket Reduction Procedure-This costly and painful procedure is needed when gingivitis treatment fails and the bacteria spread to the supporting bone and gingival tissue. When this happens, the toxins formed by the infection will actually dissolve the tissue and create pockets in between the gums and the tooth or bone. Bacteria breed rapidly in these pockets so they must be removed as quickly as possible so that the gums can reattach to the bone. In addition, in order to prevent gingivitis or periodontitis from returning, an antimicrobial treatment will be administered to move closer to the cure (usually an antibiotic like penicillin).
2. Root planing-This is used when chronic gingivitis has been present for some time, the periodontal disease may have spread to the roots and actually dissolved some of the bone. When this happens, the root will be uneven and need to be leveled in order for the gums to reattach.
3. Regenerative procedures eradicate existing harmful microbes and regenerate the gum and supporting bone tissue in order to repair the damage caused by the progression of gum disease and gingivitis problems throughout the oral cavity.
4. Soft Tissue Graft-When the gingivitis and periodontitis have caused the gums to recede and expose the roots of teeth, a soft tissue graft is usually recommended to help replace the destroyed gingival tissue.
Although none of these procedures are a true cure for gingivitis, they will destroy the harmful microbes responsible for the condition and should repair most of the damage though there may still be some lingering consequences for your long term health.
