Gum Treatments (Periodontology)

Gum diseases range from simple gum inflammation (gingivitis) to severe infections (periodontitis) where the jaw bones melt and loose teeth are lost. With disease, the gums swell, redden, bleed, recede, the teeth lengthen, bad breath occurs, teeth shift, gaps open, and eventually teeth are lost. Gingival bleeding, which is one of the most important symptoms of gum disease and can be easily recognized by the patient, occurs while brushing teeth, eating hard foods, and sometimes spontaneously.

Gum disease is a disease that can be largely prevented and controlled. Treatment depends on good oral hygiene, accurate and early diagnosis, and the right approach to treatment. Therefore, both the patient and the physician need to be actively involved in the treatment.

How does gum disease occur and what causes it?

Gum disease is the inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) in response to deposits called “microbial dental plaque”, which contains many microorganisms on all surfaces of the teeth and at the tooth-gum junction as a result of not brushing regularly and effectively. If this plaque is not removed, microorganisms and the harmful substances they produce cause gum disease and, in the future, the reduction and dissolution of the bone holding the tooth (periodontitis).

How does dental plaque appear and how to recognize it?

Microbial plaque is difficult to detect visually because it is the same color as the tooth. The structure of plaque is soft and can be easily removed from the tooth surface with a toothbrush and dental floss. If this plaque is not removed over time, it calcifies, hardens and forms “calculus”. Once calculus formation is complete, it cannot be removed with a brush or string and must be professionally cleaned by a dentist. The porous structure of calculus helps plaque build up and attach faster. Thus, the inflammation progresses faster.

How are gum diseases diagnosed?

These diseases are usually chronic diseases. Although the disease exists, it may not be noticed for a while. If the gums are bleeding and enlarged, if there is tartar, if the gums sometimes recede and the teeth are elongated, if some teeth are displaced and spaced apart, if the teeth are loose, if there is a bad taste in the mouth and a bad odor, you should definitely see a periodontist.

What is scaling?

It is the most common, the easiest and the most preventive method among the treatments of the gum diseases. Scaling removes tartar and plaque, also known as calculus. Plaque is a sticky substance and is mostly made up of bacteria. Plaque and calculus attach to the tooth surface, especially the root surface below the gingival margin. Root surfaces need to be smoothed as the plaque tends to adhere to the rough surface. This procedure removes all tartar and irregularities on the root surface.