How can gum infection be treated?

You probably have gum infection if your gums bleed when you brush your teeth. Find out here what causes this problem and your dentist's treatment methods to ensure the inflammation heals.

The most common signs of gum infection:

• Red gums
• Swollen gums
• bleeding gums
• bad breath

Inflamed gums are a common problem. Patients usually discover gum infection when they bleed when brushing their teeth. In addition, inflammatory processes in the mouth are often caused by a lack of or incorrect oral hygiene. Bacteria can then settle on the gums, and after a while, inflammation develops, which, if left untreated, progresses and ultimately necessitates costly periodontitis treatment.

Do you worry that your gums are inflamed, or do you notice bleeding after brushing your teeth? Then it's high time to make an appointment with the dentist.

Causes of gum infection

Everyone has a large number of bacteria in their oral cavity. More than 1,000 different types of bacteria settle in a healthy oral cavity and form the so-called oral flora. However, if plaque is not thoroughly removed twice daily, harmful germs multiply, releasing toxins, aggressive metabolites and acids and attacking the gums. Areas at the transition between teeth and gums are particularly sensitive – this is where gum inflammation occurs.

What factors promote gum infection?

• weakened immune system
• Vitamin C deficiency
• Mouth breathing/dry mouth
• crowded teeth
• diseases such as diabetes mellitus
• Hereditary predisposition
• Certain medications
• hormone fluctuations
• Smoking
• stress
• malnutrition
• Caries
• Old
• need of care

Are you interested in advice on preventing or gum infection treatment? Our competent practice team is at your disposal for a consultation.

Treat gum infection in time

If you make an appointment with the dentist in Arlington VA at a good time to treat the gum infection, the inflammation will heal in a few weeks. However, if the gum inflammation is delayed, the inflammatory process worsens, and periodontitis develops, in which gum pockets form. Unfortunately, this process is irreversible.

The dentist must clear out the gum pockets. Otherwise, the inflammation will spread to the entire periodontium, and the bacteria can even enter the bloodstream. In the worst case, there is a risk of secondary diseases of the cardiovascular system or pneumonia. Certain types of cancer and diabetes mellitus are also favored by advanced periodontitis.

Therefore, make an appointment with your dentist soon because they can treat gum infection painlessly and effectively in the early stages. For this purpose, a professional tooth is cleaned first, and the tooth surfaces are gently polished. Sometimes the dentist will prescribe an antibiotic and mouthwash to thoroughly heal the infection. As part of periodontitis treatment, surgically removing the affected tissue may be necessary.