Do your gums bleed when you brush your teeth or eat anything? Are your gums receding? Are your teeth sensitive to hot or cold drinks and foods? If the answer to these questions is a yes, you might have gum disease. But don’t worry; gum disease is preventable and treatable if diagnosed early.
What is Gum Disease?
According to the Australian Dental Association, gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is a group of disorders that affects the gums. Gum disease is a multi-stage process that becomes more severe if not treated timely. According to the Australian Dental Council, gum disease is a common dental issue affecting about 25% of adults.
What are the Different Stages of Gum Disease?
The intial stage of periodontal disease is called gingivitis. This stage is characterized by the inflammation of the gums. The typical symptoms of gingivitis are swollen, red, and painful gums that may bleed on brushing or eating.
If this condition is not corrected timely, the harmful bacteria attack the fibers attaching our gums and bones to the teeth. This results in the formaiton of “pockets” between the gums and the teeth, promoting further plaque accumulation and aggravating the condition. This is the advanced stage of gum disease called periodontitis. At this stage, there is widespread destruction of the bone tissue, making the teeth mobile in their pockets. At the same time, there is spontaneous bleeding, and the gums recede from their normal attachments, exposing the roots. This makes the teeth even more sensitive and prone to tooth decay. If dental treatment is not sought timely, the teeth become so mobile that they start falling off!
How is Gum Disease Treated?
Early-stage gum disease is treated through oral hygiene maintenance and professional teeth cleaning. This is a procedure in which we will use a special instrument that ultrasonically removes the plaque and tartar deposits from your teeth. For advanced cases, we will perform a more invasive procedure called scaling and root planning, or deep cleaning. In this procedure, we will extensively remove the plaque and tartar deposits, even from the roots, followed by polishing to prevent future infection. We may also prescribe antibiotics or antibacterial mouth rinses to neutralize the harmful bacteria that cause gum disease. Furthermore, if there is extensive bone loss, it will be replenished with a bone graft procedure, and the missing teeth will be replaced with dental implants.
Gum disease is preventable but can cause severe damage to your oral and physical health if not treated timely. So, visit us today, and let us keep you healthy and smiling!