Hereditary gingival fibromatosis is a rare genetic condition that causes the gums to grow larger than normal. Excess gum tissue can essentially hang from your teeth and create open pockets. These pockets provide harmful oral bacteria a hard-to-clean area in which to grow. This lingering bacteria can lead to gum infections, which in turn can cause inflammation, pain, and eventual damage to the teeth, gums and jawbone.
If you have gingival fibromatosis, it might seem like it would be difficult for a dentist to fix your problem completely. But the typical treatment route is fairly straightforward. Here's a general guide to what you will experience during the treatment process.
Gingivectomy Procedure
A dentist at a clinic like Artistic Dentistry will perform a gingivectomy to remove the excess gum tissue. You will receive local anesthesia so that you won't be able to feel your gums.
The dentist can use a combination of standard and laser-based dental tools during the procedure. Your gums will be cut and pulled tighter against your teeth and stitched into place. The dentist might need to trim off excess tissue to make this stretching and fitting possible.
Healing time will usually take a couple of weeks. Your dentist will want to see you during and after the healing process. It's vital to keep these appointments to ensure that the procedure went as planned and your gums are well secured to the teeth.
Aftercare
You will likely find it much easier to brush and care for your gums after the procedure. But it's important to keep up a regular, thorough oral health routine. Use a soft bristle toothbrush and gentle motions to brush your teeth and gums for two minutes at least twice a day. You should also floss between your teeth to prevent bacteria from building up in the spaces and above the gum tissue.
If you use tobacco products, now is the time to stop, as smoking or chewing can slow the healing process. Tobacco also makes it more likely that you will redevelop oral infections at a later date. You also need to brush immediately after ingesting acidic foods such as citrus juice, soda or coffee as these can all sit on your gums and cause damage.
Periodic Checkups
Keep all routine dental appointments to make sure that your gums aren't loosening back up over time. This is particularly important if you're a teenager, as your gums are still growing, and you could require another procedure in the future.
Share23 March 2015
Halloween is a holiday that my children love, and telling them they can't go door-to-door collecting candy would break their hearts. This led me to allowing them to collect candy on the holiday, then rationing it out to them every day instead of letting them gobble it up in just a few days. I always thought this was better for them, but my dentist told me this could be the reason why their February dental check-ups were always their worst ones. Daily candy consumption was taking a toll on their teeth. I started a new tradition of letting them indulge for two days, then giving them the option to swap the rest with me in exchange for a new toy. They never pass on the opportunity for a new toy. I created this blog to encourage other parents find similar tactics to keep their children's teeth healthy after Halloween.