Losing bone that supports your teeth is a primary symptom of the gum disease periodontitis and largely results from poor oral hygiene. Treatment can address the problem, but you need to commit to taking good care of your teeth and gums.

Conservative Treatments

Less severe bone loss can benefit from non-surgical interventions to keep it from getting worse. These treatments remove the buildup of plaque and tartar that triggers bone loss. They include scaling, root planing and antibiotics--typically gels and oral rinses-- to control infections.

Bone Grafting

In bone grafting, a dentist uses small pieces of bone--your own, donated or synthetic--to hold your tooth in place. This replaces the lost bone and act as a foundation for new bone regeneration.

Guided Tissue Regeneration

One type of guided tissue regeneration involves putting a special fabric between your bone and tooth. This keeps the space clear to allow for the regrowth of new bone. In another type, your doctor will apply a special gel--composed of similar proteins as tooth enamel--to the damaged area to encourage the growth of new bone and tissue.

Professional Cleanings

In order to maintain the effectiveness of any surgical or non-surgical treatments for your bone loss, you need to get your teeth professionally cleaned to keep bacteria from becoming deeply rooted. This is typically done once a year, but your doctor might recommend more.

Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene

You can complement procedures to restore bone and prevent further bone loss in mild cases by brushing your teeth at least twice a day (preferably after every meal) and flossing at least once. Get a new toothbrush every three to four months or consider using an electrical one.

Source:

The Mayo Clinic