Healthy teeth, healthy gums…
Fight gum disease and obtain healthy teeth and gums
Your gums are just as important as your teeth to keep healthy.
Periodontal disease (often referred to as gum disease) damages the gums and limits their ability to protect teeth. This is the greatest cause of tooth loss in adults.
What is gum disease?
Periodontal disease (or commonly known as gum disease) is an inflammatory disease of the support structures of teeth. These structures include gingiva (gum), periodontal ligament and alveolar bone (part of the jaw bone). The gingiva, being the most superficial tissue, provides most of the signs and symptoms of periodontal disease, such as swelling, redness, bleeding, recession and so forth. When inflammation is confined to the superficial layer (the gingiva), the condition is known as Gingivitis. This is a very common condition affecting adults and children alike. When inflammation is spread to affect deeper structures (such as bone) the condition is known as periodontitis (or periodontal disease).
Why is treating gum disease important?
Periodontal disease is treated by a periodontist and is is the result of plaque (colourless bacteria that forms on teeth). Essentially, gum disease is an infection of the gum tissue. An infection of this tissue can result in receding gums and possibly lead to tooth loss.
What causes gum disease?
Bacteria in the mouth is usually responsible for causing gingivitis and periodontitis. The build-up of bacteria also known as dental plague can lead gum inflammation (gingivitis). If gingivitis is allowed to go on for a long time, some gingivitis progress to the next stage of disease – periodontitis, which involves a gradual loss of bone and tooth attachment to bone.
What are the symptoms of gum disease?
You may be suffering from gum disease if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms;
- Pain while chewing
- Red, sore, swollen gums
- Bleeding gums whilst brushing or flossing your teeth
- Build up of calculus (tartar)
- Bad breath or bad taste
- Loss of teeth
- Teeth sensitivity to hot and cold
- Changes in bite
- Gums that have withdrawn from teeth and in between teeth
Gum disease is a treatable condition. If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, please contact your dentist who may refer you to a periodontist.
How is gum disease treated?
Gum disease causes permanent damage to the supporting tissues; therefore the aim of treatment is to stop the progression of the disease through controlling the bacteria. To a large extent periodontitis can be prevented by good oral hygiene and early intervention when problems are identified.
If you do suffer from more advanced periodontal disease you may require bone grafting, this involves a surgical procedure that replaces missing bone with a material called a bone graft. This material not only replaces missing bone, but also helps your body regrow lost bone. This new bone growth strengthens the grafted area by forming a bridge between your existing bone and the graft. Over time the newly formed bone will replace much of the grafted material.
How can gum disease be prevented?
In the vast majority of cases the progression of gum disease prevented or stopped quickly with adequate oral hygiene and regular checkups with your dentist. Management of gum disease becomes more difficult and less predictable the more advanced the disease. Therefore, the sooner periodontitis is diagnosed and treated the better. Regular dental examinations are important to check for the presence of gum disease.
The cause of gum disease is bacteria. To manage it, the bacteria must be reduced to a level the body’s defense mechanisms can handle. Treatment usually involves:
- achieving the best possible oral health at home;
- professional cleaning of the teeth above and below the gum line (into the pockets) to remove the plaque and hard deposits (calculus/tartar);
- regular reviews and;
- trying to remove risk factors such as smoking.
Who is qualified to be a periodontist and treat gum disease?
Periodontics is the specialty of dentistry which encompasses the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the supporting and surrounding tissues of the teeth. Your general dentist is trained in managing periodontal problems. They may also use a hygienist to assist in your care. You may be referred to a periodontist if your dentist considers your condition needs more advanced care. A specialist periodontist has gained additional qualifications and experience to satisfy the requirements of the dental board in your respective state and may therefore use the title “periodontist”.
DENTAL CARE NETWORK™ is an Australian network of dentists and dental pratices offering quality, professional dental services such as teeth whitening, CEREC, TMJ Symptoms Treatment, wisdom teeth removal and porcelain veneers. Our network features Sydney dentists, Melbourne dentists and dental practices in many locations around Australia.
