Gum Disease

Gum disease: The sooner you treat it the better.

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an infection of the gums surrounding your teeth. Periodontal disease is one of the biggest reasons for tooth loss in adults, and because it is virtually pain-free, many patients do not know they have the disease.

During each regular checkup, your dentist will check for signs of periodontal disease by measuring the space between your teeth and gums.

What causes Gum Disease?

Gum disease is caused by a buildup of plaque ( a sticky mass of bacteria that forms on the teeth). If the plaque is not removed (by flossing, brushing and regular checkups), it will continue to build up and create toxins that can damage gums.

Periodontal disease forms just below the gum line and creates small pockets that separate the gums from the teeth. Periodontal disease has two stages: gingivitis and periodontitis.

Gingivitis – This is the early stage of gum disease, when the gums become red and swollen, and bleed easily. At this stage, the disease is treatable and can usually be eliminated by daily brushing and flossing.

Periodontitis – If left untreated, gingivitis will advance into periodontitis, and the gums and bone that support the teeth will become seriously and irreversibly damaged. Gums infected with periodontitis can cause teeth to become loose or fall out.

Certain factors can increase a patient’s risk of developing periodontal disease, including:

Smoking or using chewing tobacco
Diabetes
Certain types of medication such as steroids, anti-epilepsy drugs, cancer therapy drugs, Calcium channel blockers and contraceptives
Bridges that no longer fit
Crooked teeth
Old fillings
Pregnancy

Whilst it is possible to have periodontal disease and not know it, some symptoms can include:

Gums that bleed easily Red, swollen, tender gums.
Gums that have pulled away from the teeth.
Persistent bad breath or bad taste.
Pus between your teeth and gums.
Permanent teeth that are loose or separating.
Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite.
Any change in the fit of partial dentures.

How to prevent Gum Disease?

Regular dental checkups and periodontal examinations are important for maintaining your health and the health of your smile. You don’t have to lose teeth to periodontal disease, and by practicing good oral hygiene at home, you can significantly reduce your chances of ever getting gum disease.

Remember to brush regularly, clean between your teeth, eat a balanced diet, and schedule regular dental visits to help keep your smile healthy.

Treatment Options for Gum Disease

If you’ve been diagnosed with gum disease, there are a variety of treatment options depending on the details of your situation and the severity of the problem. We always start with the least invasive options, which are non-surgical.

However, in more serious cases, surgery may be necessary.

Non-Surgical Treatment

The first line of defense against gum disease is a unique type of cleaning called “scaling and root cleaning”.

In this procedure, an ultrasonic cleaning device is used to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth where regular cleaning devices can’t reach: under the gum line, on the tooth, and around the root. Then, the rough surface of the tooth and the root are smoothed out (planed). This provides a healthy, clean surface that makes it easier to for the gum tissue to reattach to the tooth.

If you address your gum disease before it becomes severe, scaling and root planing may be the only treatment you need. However, as with any dental procedure, after-care is vital. In order to keep your teeth in good shape and resist future occurrences of gum disease, you must brush and floss daily, eat a healthy diet and have regular dental checkups.

Even after a successful scaling and root planing, if you don’t attend to your teeth properly, it’s quite likely that you’ll develop gum disease again.

Surgical Treatment

If the tissue or bone surrounding your teeth is too damaged to be repaired with non-surgical treatment, several surgical procedures are available to prevent severe damage and restore healthy smile.

We will recommend the procedure that is best suited to the condition of your teeth and gums.

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Interested in treating Gum Disease?

Learn more about the steps for periodontal disease treatment from Kingsgrove Dental. Periodontitis can be treated a number of ways. Book your appointment today!