The treatment and management of periodontal disease includes regular dental care, lifestyle changes, medications, and deep cleaning. For some surgery may be needed to remove damage tissue and teeth.
The goals of treatment of periodontal disease include:
- Control the underlying infection
- Halt destruction of the gums, tissues, and bones that support your teeth
- Avoid potential tooth loss
Your dentist may need to refer you to a specialist in the treatment of gum disease, called a periodontist.
Treatment involves the following:
Lifestyle changesMedicationsSurgeryOther treatmentsReferences
Gum disease risk factors. American Academy of Periodontology website. Available at: https://www.perio.org/consumer/risk-factors. Accessed August 17, 2016.
Gum (Periodontal) Disease. NIH SeniorHealth website. Available at: http://nihseniorhealth.gov/periodontaldisease/riskfactorsandprevention/01.html. Accessed August 17, 2016.
Periodontal disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/OralHealth/periodontal%5Fdisease/. Updated March 10, 2015. Accessed August 17, 2016.
Periodontal (gum) disease: Causes, symptoms, and treatments. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research website. Available at: http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/GumDiseases/PeriodontalGumDisease.htm#riskFactors.Updated September 2013. Accessed August 17, 2016.