Gum Disease

 What is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is a painless condition where the tissue that surrounds and supports your teeth becomes infected. It is very common in Australia, with 3 in every 10 adults having moderate to severe gum disease.

Gum disease is caused by plaque, which is a sticky layer of germs that builds up on teeth. Plaque irritates the gums, causing them to bleed easily. If the plaque is not brushed off, it can become hard and further irritate the gums. The symptoms of gum disease include inflammation, redness, bleeding, bad breath and sponginess of the gums.

The Stages of Gum Disease

There are two main stages of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontitis.

Gingivitis is early gum disease and occurs when dental plaque builds up on teeth and is not removed. If addressed early, the effects of gingivitis can be reversed.
Periodontitis is an advanced gum disease that can occur if gingivitis is not treated. If the plaque is not removed, it will harden into calculus and will be unable to be removed using a toothbrush. This will create ‘periodontal pockets’ between the gum and the tooth where bacteria can become trapped, causing further inflammation and subsequent bone loss. As the disease progresses and more bone is lost, the teeth will become mobile, ultimately ending in tooth loss.

Predisposition to smoking, diabetes and obesity can cause a high risk of developing periodontitis. A 2018 study by the Australian Dental Association shows that periodontitis affects 19.8% of Australians.

What treatment is available?

The treatment of gum disease involves the removal of plaque and calculus, scaling, root planning, and possibly perio/gum surgery. If you suspect you might have an infection in your mouth, loose teeth or bleeding gums, please book in to see on of our dentists.

Don’t ignore the symptoms and lose your teeth. You can prevent the threat of gum disease with the help of our team at the Diamond Dental Centre. Keeping up to date with your 6 monthly check-up and maintaining a good oral hygiene at home will have major benefits for your gum health. This includes brushing twice a day with a soft toothbrush, flossing at least once a day, and use of mouthwash (alcohol free) twice daily.

A few minutes a day can help keep you smiling your whole life!