Periodontal disease is one of the most common oral health issues in the world. That doesn't mean, however, it's wise to let it go untreated. Many problems like bad breath, tooth loss, mouth sores, bleeding gums, and even heart disease are connected to periodontal issues.

Fortunately, there are periodontal disease treatment options. Patients might wonder how difficult the treatment process is going to be. No dentist can guarantee how things will go in an individual case, but the following four factors will guide the doctor's assessment. 

Diagnosis

Foremost, the dentist needs to perform a diagnosis to verify that the issue is periodontal disease. Some oral cancers, for example, can manifest symptoms similar to periodontic issues. Also, even if it is a periodontal problem, there could be a comorbidity with another condition. Getting the complete picture by taking X-rays, looking at the gums, and possibly even doing a biopsy will help the dentist develop a treatment plan.

Preexisting Conditions

Preexisting conditions are often major factors in how easy or difficult periodontal disease treatment might be. For example, it may be a long road for someone who has diabetes to deal with periodontal concerns. Likewise, smoking or alcohol consumption can be aggravating factors. If someone has an immune condition, that can affect the treatment process too.

The good thing is that dental science has a good grasp on how these conditions usually influence treatment. A dentist may have to adjust their approach, usually by adding some time or prescriptions. However, the odds are good they can factor in issues associated with preexisting conditions.

Teeth Cleaning

For some folks, a good teeth cleaning goes a long way toward promoting periodontal health. Especially if someone hasn't been a regular dental patient, loosening and clearing plaque around the teeth will remove the hiding places for bacteria in the mouth to attack the gums. If a patient can follow up with improvements in brushing and flossing, they may only need a few visits to start to see results.

Rinses and Antibiotics

Given the infectious nature of periodontal disease, it's unsurprising that doctors often recommend more than just flossing. Some patients will require mouth rinses to get around and between the teeth. These are special formulas aimed at controlling common oral bacteria.

A doctor may also prescribe antibiotics. This is more common if the dentist needs to control periodontal disease prior to doing other work, such as fillings, extractions, or implants.

Contact a local dentist to learn more about periodontal disease.