What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease, or gingivitis, is the inflammation of your gums. This is when your gums appear red and swollen. A typical sign of gum disease is when they bleed easily from either flossing or brushing. Gum disease is caused by plaque (bacteria) on your teeth and beneath your gums. If the plaque is not removed, your gums will get inflamed.
How do I stop Gum Disease?
Gum disease treatment firstly includes maintaining good oral hygiene. This is done by regularly brushing well and flossing. It is important to note that even if you brush well, you will still miss up to 30% of the tooth surfaces. Flossing daily, to clean between your teeth, ensures that you remove the rest of the plaque.
Secondly, you will need to ensure that you stick your regular check and cleans at the dentist at least every 6 months (more frequently for patients with advanced gum disease). This is so that we can monitor the status of the gum disease but also to give your teeth and gums a good clean to prevent the hard plaque (tartar/calculus) from building up.
What about Advanced Gum Disease (Periodontitis)?
Advanced gum disease affects certain patients, particularly those who have a family history. Periodontitis is the loss of bone around your teeth and if left untreated, will lead to loose teeth and may eventually cause your teeth ‘fall out’. It is also the condition where patients get deep pockets around their teeth, further worsening the condition if food and plaque get stuck in there. Periodontitis, however, can be controlled with careful cleaning and regular visits to your dentist or gum specialist (Periodontist). It is important to note that smoking is major risk factor for periodontitis and in most cases, hides the condition as the nicotine in cigarettes stops the gums from bleeding. Diabetes is another major risk factor.
Signs and Symptoms of Gum Disease
In order of increasing severity:
- Bleeding gums, especially when brushing or flossing
- Swollen & sore gums
- Heavy plaque build-up around your gums
- Increased sensitivity
- Dark brown or black deposits around your gums
- Appearance of “longer teeth”
- Tooth movement (loose, mobile teeth)
- Teeth feel sore when chewing (although this could also indicate a cracked tooth)
- Teeth falling out from your mouth
Why is Gingivitis so bad?
Gum disease, and especially advanced gum disease, has been associated with an increased risk of serious conditions such as heart disease and respiratory infections. Occasionally, patients with gum disease will more than likely have bad breath from the gases that the bacteria produces deep in the pockets of inflammation.
Gum Disease Treatment options
The easiest gum disease treatment is a good professional dental clean, followed by an improvement in your oral hygiene. This means, a clean-up of all the plaque and calculus (tar tar) deposits around your teeth and good home maintenance of brushing and flossing daily. If you have periodontitis (however mild) – a gum chart is recommended, followed by a deep gum clean (debridement). Gum disease requires a life-long commitment to proper management, so it’s important that you continue to see your dentist for on-going care. A resurgence of gingivitis and periodontitis symptoms is common in patients who fail to adhere to the strict management regimes.
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Payment PlansFrequently Asked Questions
- How do I cure Gingivitis?
- Gingivitis is generally not curable, but is rather managed. See below.
- How to get rid of Gingivitis?
- The easiest way to manage gum disease is a good professional dental clean, followed by an improvement in your oral hygiene.
- Should I floss or use an interdental brush?
- Both flossing and interdental brush use are great ways of cleaning between your teeth. Your dentist should be able to tell you which one suits you best.
- Should I use mouthwash?
- If you are maintaining a good oral care regime of regular brushing and flossing, there is no need for using Mouthwash. There are exceptions, which your dentist can discuss with you.