# Treatment for Periodontal Gum Disease Periodontal gum disease, also known as periodontitis, is a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue and, without treatment, can destroy the bone that supports your teeth. Here are some effective treatments: ## Professional Dental Cleaning Your dentist or dental hygienist will remove the plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line of all your teeth. If you have any signs of gum disease, you may need to have dental cleanings more than twice a year. ## Scaling and Root Planing This is a deep-cleaning, non-surgical procedure, done under local anesthesia, whereby plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line are scraped away (scaling) and rough spots on the tooth root are made smooth (planing). Smoothing the rough spots removes bacteria and provides a clean surface for the gums to reattach to the teeth. ## Antibiotics Topical or oral antibiotics can help control bacterial infection. Topical antibiotics can include antibiotic mouth rinses or the insertion of gels containing antibiotics in the space between your teeth and gums or into pockets after deep cleaning. However, oral antibiotics may be necessary to completely eliminate infection-causing bacteria. ## Flap Surgery/Pocket Reduction Surgery During this procedure, the gums are lifted back and the tartar is removed. In some cases, irregular surfaces of the damaged bone are smoothed to limit areas where disease-causing bacteria can hide. The gums are then placed so that the tissue fits snugly around the tooth. This method decreases the size of the space between the gum and tooth, thereby reducing the areas where harmful bacteria can grow and decreasing the chance of serious health problems associated with periodontal disease. ## Bone Grafts This procedure involves using fragments of your own bone, synthetic bone, or donated bone to replace bone destroyed by periodontitis. The grafts serve as a platform for the regrowth of bone, which restores stability to teeth. ## Soft Tissue Grafts This procedure reinforces thin gums or fills in places where gums have receded. Grafted tissue, most often taken from the roof of the mouth, is stitched in place, adding tissue to the affected area. ## Guided Tissue Regeneration Performed when the bone supporting your teeth has been destroyed, this procedure stimulates bone and gum tissue growth. A small piece of mesh-like fabric is inserted between the bone and gum tissue, keeping the gum tissue from growing into the area where the bone should be, allowing the bone and connective tissue to regrow to better support the teeth. ## Enamel Matrix Derivative Application This involves applying a gel to a diseased tooth root. The gel contains the same proteins found in developing tooth enamel and stimulates the growth of healthy bone and tissue. ## Lifestyle and Home Remedies - **Brush your teeth twice a day** with fluoride toothpaste. - **Floss daily** to remove plaque from between your teeth. - **Use an antiseptic mouthwash** to help reduce bacteria that cause plaque and gum disease. - **Quit smoking**. Smoking is strongly associated with the onset of gum disease. - **Eat a balanced diet**. Proper nutrition helps your immune system fight infection. By following these treatments and maintaining good oral hygiene, you can effectively manage and treat periodontal gum disease.