Gum Disease Treatment
What is Gum Disease?
Do you sometimes find that your gums bleed when you brush your teeth? If you do, you are not alone!
Gum disease is very common in Australia with an estimated 30% of all adults having moderate to severe gum disease.
Gum disease is the inflammation of the gums that surround the teeth. This inflammation can progress to affect the structures that support the teeth, including the ligament and the bone itself. In fact, severe gum disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults.
Gum disease is usually caused by a build-up of plaque along the gumline. The bacteria in plaque feed on sugars that we consume from food and drinks, causing acid. If the plaque is not removed every day by brushing and flossing, this can cause inflammation of the gums.
Gum disease can vary from a mild, reversible form called gingivitis to a more serious infection called periodontitis.
Gingivitis
- Gingivitis is the earlier, milder form of gum disease. Signs that you have gingivitis include:
- your gums become red and swollen
- your gums bleed when you brush your teeth.
- you may also notice that you start to have bad breath.
The good news is that usually at this early stage, gingivitis is reversible.
How do you reverse Gingivitis?
The team at Castle Hill Dental Care, will be able to show you the best way to look after your teeth and gums. By getting into the habit of thoroughly brushing your teeth and gums twice a day with a soft toothbrush and flossing or cleaning between your teeth with inter dental brushes once a day, you can start to reverse the process of gingivitis. You may find that when you start to do this, your gums will bleed quite a lot. It’s important to keep brushing your gums, even when they are bleeding.
A professional scale and cleaning by your dentist is the only way to remove hardened plaque or calculus. Once this is done, it will be easier for you to maintain, good oral health at home. Your dentist may also recommend a mouth rinse to help reduce the plaque build up between your teeth.
Periodontitis
If gingivitis is not treated, it can lead to the more serious condition, periodontitis. This is where the disease begins to not only affect the gums, but also the supporting tissues and even the bone. Pockets begin to form where the tooth and the gum meet, and these pockets will trap plaque and food. These pockets can also trap hardened plaque, called calculus or tartar.
At this stage, you will need professional dental care to clean and scale the tooth and the surface of the root, to prevent the disease from getting worse. If left untreated, this can become Advanced Periodontitis, where the bone is destroyed, and your tooth can fall out.
- Signs that you may have periodontitis include:
- your gums are very red and swollen and may have pulled away from your teeth
- constant bad taste in your mouth and bad breath
- you may notice a change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
- you may also notice that your gums are receding (getting long in the tooth)
- your teeth may be loose
- your teeth are sensitive to cold and hot
Having gingivitis and periodontitis can increase your risk of conditions such as heart disease and diabetes, so it’s really important to see your dentist and get on top of this as early as possible.
Are some people more likely to get gum disease than others?
- Certain lifestyle factors or other medical conditions can make it more likely that you may develop gum disease.
These include: - Smoking
- Poor nutrition
- Taking illicit drugs
- Stress
- Having diabetes
- Taking some prescription medicines
- Pregnancy or going through puberty (hormonal factors)
- Some people have a genetic predisposition
What to expect when getting Gum Disease Treatment at Castle Hill Dental Care
1. ASSESS AND DISCUSS
Communication is key to providing you with the best possible care. Our dentists will listen to your concerns and will always discuss your treatment options with you.
PAIN RELIEF
Sometimes it is necessary to numb your mouth in order to give you a thorough scale and clean to treat your gum disease. Our aim is make your treatment as painless as possible.
3. PROFESSIONAL ADVICE
Home care is very important when it comes to maintaining your gum health. We pride ourselves on providing high quality treatment and advice to ensure that you get the best possible outcome.
COMPLETE CARE
At Castle Hill Dental Care we will ensure that the treatment of your gum disease is a part of your wholistic dental care. Once your gum disease is treated, we recommend regular check-ups to make sure that your mouth remains healthy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before and After Photos
GUM DISEASE
