Gum infection
Periodontal disease (gingivitis or inflammation of the gums and pyorrhea or periodontitis) is an infection caused by bacteria or microbes that we all have in our mouth.
Its treatment will therefore aim at eliminating the infection even to eliminate or reduce the risk or factors predisposing to reinfection.
Treatment of gum infection
ORAL CARE
The first part of the treatment consists of motivating the patient and teaching him/her hygiene measures. In short, how to be more efficient when they are brushing their teeth, eliminating the bacteria that all humans accumulate on a daily basis. Bacterial plaque, which is the direct cause of periodontal disease and other oral pathologies, doubles in 12 hours for a total correction. A regular elimination prevents both periodontal disease and caries.
ELIMINATION OF GUM INFECTION
The second part of the treatment aims to eliminate the periodontal infection, whatever if it is gingivitis (when it affects only the gum compartment) or periodontitis (when it affects the supporting tissues of the tooth). At the end, under a local anesthesia, bacterial deposits accumulated on the surface of the root of the tooth are removed thanks to a designed instruments called curettes ( under the gum). The treatment is called curettage or scaling and root planing. Depending on the extent of the periodontal lesion, the number of sessions required will be determined.
PERIODONTAL EVALUATION
The third part, is a periodontal re-evaluation to confirm healing of the infection. If the periodontitis is not healed due to a deeper infection or areas that are difficult to maintain for both the patient and the professional, advanced periodontal treatment will be necessary (e.g. regeneration).
Usage of antibiotics
The first reaction to treat a gum infection is to use home remedies such as salt rinses or hydrogen peroxide. However, these remedies do not eliminate the bacteria. It is still common to go straight to a pharmacy. Indeed, pharmacists usually recommend antiseptic mouthwashes which, although they eliminate the bacteria, do not usually eliminate the bacteria inside the gums, which cause the infection and destroy the good oral flora!
So, how do you cure a gum infection and periodontitis?
Concerning the treatment of periodontitis or gingivitis, it is necessary to go to a dental clinic specialized in this type of condition.
A gum infection such as periodontitis or gingivitis can be treated with antibiotics, although it is not recommended to use them as the only treatment. Indeed, it does not avoid the elimination by a specialist of the bacteria present in the pockets.
In lot of cases, the infection can be controlled by deep disinfection alone, and the use of antibiotics is not necessary. As you know, the indiscriminate use of antibiotics can lead to bacterial resistance, which increases the virulence of bacteria that provoke infectious diseases. Antibiotics should therefore only be used for an emergency, and a thorough cleaning is not sufficient.
Do you need us to treat a gum infection? During your consultation, your particular situation will be discussed in more detail. We encourage you to ask any questions you may have. If new questions arise after your consultation, please do not hesitate to contact the clinic in Geneva. During the initial examination, we will be able to set up the necessary care for the treatment of gum infections. Moreover, we can define the treatment plan, the expected duration of treatment and the approximate cost.
Stop by our dental clinic for a visit, or call us at 022 310 50 77 to arrange a consultation
It is imperative to consider periodontal disease as a disease, to have a holistic approach …. communication, listening to the patient, complementary analyses, microscopic sampling, the specialist’s gesture are inseparable!
