When patients visit us for a routine cleaning and get to know that they have gum disease symptoms, they feel very concerned. One of the frequent questions we get is: Can gum disease be treated without surgery? Actually, yes, it’s possible, especially if the issue is caught early. If you’re looking for non-surgical gum disease treatment in Houston, here’s everything you should know.
Can You Reverse Gum Disease Naturally?
The earliest stage of gum disease, gingivitis, is generally reversible with prompt treatment and good oral hygiene. Common signs include redness along the gumline and bleeding when you brush or floss.
Mostly, the main cause of gingivitis is plaque buildup. Daily brushing, flossing, and good oral hygiene can help reverse gingivitis when combined with a professional dental cleaning to remove plaque and tartar, if present. Your dentist may also recommend an antimicrobial mouthwash.
What Are the Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Gum Disease?
When some of our patients in Houston hear that they have gum disease, they often picture surgery as the only solution. That’s not true. In fact, we always start with non-surgical treatments to improve gum health. Here are different options:
Deep teeth cleanings
Routine cleanings aren’t always enough to keep gums healthy. For those with mild to moderate periodontitis, we suggest deep teeth cleanings.
They remove hardened plaque above and beneath your gum line and smooth tooth roots for proper healing.
Ozone therapy
The ozone molecule has incredible antimicrobial properties. We apply ozonated water, oil, or gas directly to the gums. This is especially helpful for patients with deep gum pockets.
Laser therapy
Laser therapy is another less invasive option. It targets the infected gum tissue while leaving your healthy tissues intact. Laser gum treatments also have a much shorter recovery time.
When Is Gum Surgery Still Necessary?
Many of our patients see successful results with non-surgical treatments. But there are cases where gum disease has progressed too far. Receding gums, deep pockets that only get worse, bone loss, or loose teeth are signs that you may need to think of surgical treatments.
Your treatment plan may involve gum grafting, osseous surgery, or bone grafting. A minimally invasive solution we recommend to our patients with receding gums is the Gum Drop Technique (GDT).
Even after surgical treatment, you’ll need to continue with at-home care and routine cleanings twice a year (more often in some cases) so that your gums and bone heal well.
Summing Up
It’s possible to treat gum disease without surgery, but it mainly depends on how serious your condition is. Explore different non-surgical options for your gum health by having a consultation with our qualified expert at Houston Biological Dentistry today. Call (713) 785-7767 to schedule a visit.