Types of Gum Disease - Can I Get Cheap Dental Coverage to Fix It?

This condition comes in many shapes and sizes, requiring specific kinds of procedures and prevention methods. There is cheap dental coverage available for gum disease, but you have to know where to look. Treatment varies greatly with each individual case, but a general knowledge of the causes of periodontal disease could help when discussing your options with your dentist.

Gingivitis

Gum disease, in its early stages, is known as gingivitis.

When plaque builds up on the surface of the teeth, it attracts harmful bacteria that can creep under mouth tissue. The gums become red and swollen, and they can bleed easily.

Gingivitis is usually not painful and may be reversed by employing proper oral care methods.  A dentist can thoroughly clean the affected area to prevent further infection, and provide helpful tips on how to prevent it in the future.

Periodontal Disease

If plaque advances below the gumline, gingivitis can quickly escalate into periodontitis, the more serious periodontal disease. Toxins from the bacteria spread infection and irritate the gums, which become inflamed. If periodontitis remains untreated, the gums can eventually separate from the teeth as the disease eats away at tissues and tooth structure.

The most common forms of periodontitis are:

• Aggressive periodontitis – People who are otherwise clinically healthy can experience this rapid bone destruction and gum separation.
• Chronic periodontitis – This most common form of the condition occurs prevalently in adults, resulting in inflammation and bone loss. Tissue separation occurs slowly with occasional bursts of rapid progression.
• Necrotizing periodontal disease – This is characterized by the premature death of living tissue causing lesions in the gum, ligaments and bone. It is most commonly seen in conjunction with malnutrition, immunosuppression or HIV infection.
• Systemic disease manifested in periodontitis – This form is actually linked to another systemic disease in the body like diabetes or cardiovascular or respiratory diseases. In these cases, symptoms often begin at a young age.

Treatment Costs

Due to the multiple forms of gingivitis and periodontitis, treatment options can vary greatly depending on the severity of the damage. One option is to research dental coverage that could help reduce the cost.

Approximate treatment costs, without the help of a dental plan:

Regular maintenance procedure = up to $250.

Removal of damaged gum tissue = $190-$300.

Tissue grafts = $500-$900 for each specific section of the mouth.

Full mouth repair = $4-10,000.

There may be additional costs for an examination and the cleaning of excess plaque buildup.

Treatment for these conditions is quite expensive, so it is important to establish good oral habits early in life.  However, if a patient brushes twice daily, flosses every day, visits a cheap dentist and watches for early signs of infection, he or she may never have to pay exorbitant prices for these procedures again. Preventative oral hygiene and a discount plan are truly the only cheap dental solutions for gum disease.