In most cases, gum disease is caused by bacteria buildup on the plaque in your mouth that later infiltrated your gums and caused an infection. The infection can be painful and irritating, with symptoms ranging from irritated and bleeding gums to bad breath. Read below to learn more about gum disease treatment. Mild gum disease is also known as "gingivitis." The symptoms of mild gum disease include bleeding when brushing your teeth, and red and swollen gums. Fortunately, gum disease treatment for mild gingivitis is quick and easy. In most cases, gum disease treatment only requires brushing and flossing. For best results, you should brush your teeth at least twice a day-- after your morning and evening meals-- and floss them once daily.

Severe cases of gum disease are called "periodontal disease." In this problem, the gums may recede from your teeth, causing them to fall out. In this situation, your dentist may prescribe toothpaste specially designed for gum disease treatment. This toothpaste will contain antibiotics to help fight the infection and prevent future problems by reducing the amount of disease-causing plaque on your teeth

Surgical gum disease treatment options for advanced disease may include root planning and scaling, gingivectomy, flap procedures, or even tooth extraction. Root planning and scaling is a procedure where your dentist or dental hygienist removes the plaque and tartar above and below your gum line. In a gingivectomy, the dental surgeon will remove the infected parts of your gums, whereas a flap procedure cleans and repairs the root of infected teeth. The final surgical gum disease treatment option, a tooth extraction, involves removing teeth severely damaged by gum disease.

Gum disease treatment options may also involve taking an antibiotic. The antibiotic can take many forms. You may be prescribed antibiotics you swallow as a pill, apply directly to the infected gums, swish around in your mouth like mouthwash, or even deposit in the pockets of your gums in advanced gum disease.

If you have symptoms of gum disease, make an appointment with your dentist. He or she will be able to give you x-rays and other tests to determine if you are suffering from gingivitis. If you are, your dentist will provide you will appropriate gum disease treatment options, and help you to prevent a recurrence of the disease in the future.

In time, gum disease treatment options can cure your gum disease. In order to prevent future disease, however, you should brush your teeth at least twice a day, loss a minimum of one time daily, and see a dental hygienist for plaque removal regularly. Establishing each of these habits will help prevent plaque buildup on and between your teeth.

Please use this article only as a guide for potential gum disease treatment options, and not as a replacement for seeing your dentist.