Last week, we covered gingivitis prevention, which is a critical part in a person’s daily dental hygiene efforts. Gingivitis is a condition in which a person’s gums become inflamed because of condition that has developed within them. Symptoms of gingivitis include bleeding gums, swollen gums, bad breath and an elongated tooth appearance. Gingivitis is the initial stage of gum disease, and gum disease requires surgery. The following explains how one can prepare for gingivitis surgery. Gingivitis surgery is surgery that involves separating the gums from the teeth for a brief amount of time. The oral surgeon can then access the bone and the root to perform extensive cleaning.

Pre-Surgery Home Preparation

The best way that a patient can prepare for gingivitis surgery is to conduct tasks that align with gingivitis prevention. The person will want to brush and floss at least twice per day. Rinsing with water is crucial to dental health, as well. Keeping up with nutritional efforts is equally important to preparing for surgery. The patient will want to take a multivitamin daily and eat a normal helping of fruits and vegetables. Water can cleanse the bodily system and the oral cavity. Drinking eight glasses of water per day will help to rid the patient of bodily toxins.

Pre-Surgery Dental Office Preparation

First, the dental hygienist will come in and inspect the patient’s mouth. He or she will want to insure that the patient’s mouth is clean and his or her hygiene is up to par. The hygienist may perform a full mouth cleaning that consists of scraping away plaque, irrigating the oral cavity and flossing the teeth. The hygienist will prepare the patient for the most sterile cleaning possible once the periodontist gets in the room. The periodontist will administer a shot to the area in which he or she will need to work.

The Procedure

The procedure will involve peeling back the gums and folding them back so that the periodontist can access the crucial parts of the teeth. He or she will need to remove inflamed tissue. Next, the specialist will perform a procedure called scaling and root planning. The scaling procedure involves extensive and aggressive removal of plaque and tartar. Finally, the periodontist will perform something called recontouring in which he or she smoothes out the rough edges of the bone. After the specialist performs the recontouring procedure, he or she will reattach the gums.

Conclusion

The procedure will require the patient to wear stitches. The mouth may be uncomfortable for the first few days, but the periodontist will most likely supply something that will make the person feel better. The patient will want to follow up within 10 days so that the specialist can check the progress of the procedures. During the recovery period, the patient will want to keep the mouth sterile by rinsing with water and an antiseptic mouthwash. The person must brush and floss as usual, but with special care to avoid irritating the gums. The result will be a healthy mouth, a happier person and future gingivitis prevention.

Gingivitis is a common problem that many people face. Fortunately, your friends at OMSH are well equipped and experienced to handle any oral and dental issue that come up. If you are in need of gingivitis treatment or any other type of oral and dental issue, schedule an appointment with OMSH today!