Gum diseases are serious conditions where the tissues supporting your teeth deteriorate or become damaged. It can lead to your teeth eventually becoming loose and falling out. Gum diseases occur when the gums become infected with bacteria, which, in turn, will settle at the top of the gum line, where they create plaque (a sticky film of sugars and food particles). When a person doesn’t practice good oral hygiene by brushing twice a day and flossing once every day, they become susceptible to severe dental problems like gum diseases.
Symptoms of gum or periodontal disease
You may wonder how to determine if you are facing any gum condition. If the surrounding gums and tissues are badly affected, your dentist can recommend periodontal surgery to treat them. One of the most common examples is bleeding and inflamed gums. Others may include bad breath, loose teeth, receding gum, and painful chewing. If you see any pockets developing between your teeth and gums, this can also be because of a gum infection. Did you notice any of these things with your oral health? If you are a Plainview resident, it can be better to get it checked by a dental practice serving Plainview, NY, without delay. Although gum disease is severe, efficient dentists can provide the best solutions to treat them well.
Types of periodontal surgery
Many surgical procedures are available to deal with gum infections. One of them is flap surgery. In this surgical method, surgeons make cuts in one’s gum and place a section of tissue roughly back. At the same time, they also clean bacteria and tartar from the surface of your tooth and gums. Once done, they staple back the skin to help tissues support your teeth firmly. As it heals, you can follow your regular dental cleaning routine after getting a nod from your dentist.
Another option is bone grafting. When damaged gums cause the bone surrounding your teeth to degenerate, you may need a graft procedure. A dental graft can replace the affected tooth root with either synthetic or allograft (bone donated from someone else) material to help reduce the risk of tooth loss and improve chances for successful natural tissue recovery.
Have you ever heard about soft tissue grafting? In some cases, dentists can stretch gums to cover the exposed teeth. But these are generally minor cases. If there is a missing tooth and tissue needs restoration, the dentist will check whether there is sufficient tissue to form a covering gum flap. If suitable tissue exists, they will take a small portion of it from either the roof of your mouth or from donations (depending on what your dentist has on hand) and cover the gaps where teeth or tissue should have been.
Preparation for periodontal surgery
A few weeks before your appointment, you’ll need to discuss with your doctor any medications you might be taking, including aspirin, Tylenol, or Aleve, and blood thinners such as Coumadin or Lovenox. You should also tell them if you smoke or drink alcohol, as they might advise you to stop a few days before the procedure. Your doctor may also give you an antibiotic at this time, which can help reduce the risk of an infection occurring afterward during recovery. You should make sure someone is available to drive you back home after your treatment because you can be under the influence of anesthesia. The effect may take a few hours to wear down completely.
Also, make sure you abide by your dentist’s instructions to avoid any mistakes for a successful treatment.
Recovery from periodontal surgery
How long it takes you to recover depends on the severity of your disease, overall wellness, and the type of treatment you’ve received. There can be some pain or bleeding accompanied by discomfort after the dental surgery. Don’t panic if this happens because these are normal. Most patients can go back to their daily routine a day or two after their periodontal procedure. However, this professional cosmetic dentist in ballwin highly recommends that you visit your doctor as soon as possible if the pain and bleeding persist.
However, you must be careful about certain habits. For example, you may have to stay away from it if you smoke. Else, it can affect your healing process and speed. So try giving up the habit for a long time after your tooth extraction. After the operation, brushing and flossing certain areas may not be possible. Occasionally, patients need to adopt new oral care regimens after their implantation/periodontal surgical procedures. The doctor can recommend them to use special mouthwashes and antibiotics, for example.
There can be some diet-related guidance also. To avoid putting pressure on your recently treated gum and teeth, you may have to survive on soft foods like pasta, scrambled eggs, ice cream, pudding, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes, and others. It can continue for a week or two, based on your overall health improvement.
Why should you opt for periodontal surgery on your dentist’s recommendation?
The modern generation knows that healthy teeth and gums are a portal to overall well-being. Although this surgery tackles gum damage and tooth loss issues on the surface, you can also depend on the treatment to lower the risks of developing severe health conditions like cancer, diabetes, bone problems, and heart ailment.
Surgeries are often expensive, whether they are dental or anything else related. So, you can expect to pay a higher price. But it shouldn’t stop you from taking the right step for your health. After all, gums and teeth will not heal by themselves when severely damaged. They need expert treatment and care for healing and recovery. Once they improve, you need to maintain them well by being careful about the cleaning routine and checkups.
Also, eating healthy and keeping yourself fit can contribute a positive impact. So, instead of thinking about the treatment cost, try to figure out how you can make these procedures more affordable. Some insurance companies provide excellent coverage. It can be a good idea to connect with them. You can also talk to your dentist about some suggestions. Modern dentistry is much more advanced and effective. Hence, don’t worry about anything.
