No two denturists are the same. If you have been wearing dentures for a while, you know that no two sets of dentures are the same. Finding a quality, experienced denturist can seriously impact the comfort of your dentures. You do not have to deal with loose plates, gums that are rubbed raw, distorted speech, and the inability to eat your favorite foods. If you have any of these problems, there are a few things that you can try before replacing your dentures. Use what I have learned over my 15 years of wearing dentures to find a perfect fit and optimum comfort in your dentures.
finding comfort when wearing dentures
An Overview Of Treatment For Gum Disease
Priscilla Hansen
Gum disease is a common oral health condition that is characterized by gum inflammation, sensitivity, and recession that can lead to the loss of teeth. Gum disease is highly treatable, but your dentist will need to use different types of treatments depending on the severity of the condition. Here is an overview of three methods that dentists use to treat gum disease.
Tartar Removal
The earliest stage of gum disease is known as gingivitis. Pain and swelling in the gums will be present during this early stage, but gum recession may not have begun yet. Gingivitis is usually treated by removing tartar, a hard substance that forms when plaque is allowed to build up on the teeth for an extended time. Normal brushing and flossing is not effective for removing tartar because it is too hard and much of it is located below the gumline.
Your dentist can remove tartar by scaling and planing your teeth. After numbing your teeth and gums with local anesthesia, the dentist will use a small hand scraper to scrape tartar off of the teeth above the gums. A curved scraper called a root planer is then inserted into the dental pockets between the teeth and gums to scrape tartar off the roots of your teeth. Maintaining good dental hygiene after a scaling and planing procedure is often enough to reverse gingivitis.
Antibiotics
In more serious cases of gum disease, your dentist may determine that your gums need extra protection from bacteria to heal properly. Antibiotics can be used in conjunction with scaling and planing to prevent gingivitis from recurring.
Antibiotic mouthwash is the most common solution for bacteria protection after gingivitis treatment. When used on a daily basis, antibacterial mouthwash will kill any bacteria in the mouth that may have been left behind after brushing and flossing. In some cases, your dentist may instead insert antibiotic gelatin packets in the dental pockets after planing your teeth for continuous protection against bacteria.
Pocket Reduction
Late-stage gum disease is known as periodontitis. Periodontitis can cause the gums to recede over time to the point that the connective tissues around your teeth are no longer able to support them. To prevent tooth loss, pocket reduction surgery may be required.
An oral surgeon performs pocket reduction surgery by incising the gums around the base of your teeth and pulling them back to expose the dental pockets. This allows the surgeon to use a planing tool to clean the roots of your teeth more thoroughly. When the planing is complete, the surgeon will suture your gums and place them more snugly around your teeth. This reduces the space between the teeth and the gums, making it harder for tartar to access the dental pockets.
Gum disease can be treated and your mouth can be restored to good health at any stage of the disease. Visit your dentist to see if you are in need of gum disease treatment if you are experiencing red swollen gums, bleeding when brushing or flossing, or other symptoms of the condition. For more information or assistance, contact a local dentist, like one from Randolph Dental Group.
Share