What is Gum Disease? How to Treat Gum Disease? Gum disease is a bacterial infection that when left untreated causes tooth loss. Gum disease is so common that every 3 out of 4 adults have some form of gum disease without even knowing. The standard of treatment of gum disease starts off with a regular …
What is Gum Disease?
How to Treat Gum Disease?
Gum disease is a bacterial infection that when left untreated causes tooth loss. Gum disease is so common that every 3 out of 4 adults have some form of gum disease without even knowing. The standard of treatment of gum disease starts off with a regular cleaning at your dental office. Following the cleaning a patient with gum disease must return for a Deep Cleaning which usually is done under local anesthesia. However, clinical studies have shown that a deep cleaning by itself is not enough to eliminate the bacteria located under the gums and within a short time frame the bacteria returns to its base line levels. It is important to seek out a dental facility that is in front line of treating the bacteria which is the source of the disease.
With the help of pharmacist, the dental community has come up with a comprehensive treatment that includes deep cleaning followed by locally administered Anti-biotic such as Arestin. Arestin is a powder form anti-biotic that is slow releasing and lasts up to 10-14 days at the site of the infection. This unique property of the antibiotic creates an ideal environment for the gums to heal and either eliminate gum disease or slows down the disease process.
Arestin is an antibiotic that is placed between the gums to kill any bacteria that remains between the gums and the tooth after a deep cleaning is done. This antibiotic is used when diagnosed by the doctor that you have periodontal disease (aka gum disease). Up to 47% (or 65 million) of people have gum disease due to lack of hygiene.
Lack of hygiene consists of not flossing properly, and brushing poorly, when flossing if bleeding noted, is also a sign of gum disease. Due to bacterial over load, gums become very swollen and red, that is the body’s natural response damage caused by bacteria.
