Stopping Gum Disease

Receding red, swollen and tender gums that are sensitive to hot and cold---not to mention bleeding, bad breath and, possibly, loose teeth---are all symptoms of gum disease. Also called periodontal disease, it begins when bacteria build up inside pockets formed in gum tissue. When left untreated, gum disease can lead to health conditions like heart disease, stroke, respiratory disorders, pancreatic cancer, diabetes, and low birth weight and premature birth among pregnant women.

Good Hygiene

The American Dental Association notes that brushing teeth twice daily is integral to good oral hygiene and maintaining healthy gums. Other important steps include regularly using floss or interdental cleaners to remove plaque and food from between teeth, eating a healthy, well-balanced diet and getting regular checkups that include a professional dental cleaning.

Scaling and Root Planing

According to the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), scaling and root planing--a treatment that must be done in a dentist's office--is a common first step in the fight against gum disease. It involves a deep cleaning of the root surfaces to remove plaque and calculus from the periodontal pockets that have formed in gums, thus eliminating bacterial toxins. Usually, this prevents the need for surgical procedures.

Tray Delivery Device

A custom-fit tray---made by making an impression of a patient's mouth---is sometimes used as a delivery device for dentist-prescribed medicines used to treat gum disease. However, the AAP suggests there aren't enough published studies to prove their effectiveness at this stage.

Surgical Procedures

A periodontist may recommend periodontal surgery when the tissue surrounding teeth cannot be repaired in a less invasive manner. A pocket reduction involves folding back gum tissue to remove bacteria and, if necessary, smoothing the surface of damaged bones. A regenerative procedure does the same thing but also involves the use of filters, bone-grafts or proteins (to stimulate the body's ability to improve bone and tissue condition). Crown lengthening, on the other hand, adjusts the level of the gum and bone to restore tooth exposure, while soft tissue grafts may be required to cover roots and develop gum tissue where it's missing.