Gum disease or periodontal disease, is a common but treatable and preventable condition caused by the bacteria within the plaque. While good home oral hygiene plays a large part in the recommendations on how to treat gum disease, it’s regular dental check-ups that are going to be your best prevention.
How to treat gum disease: What is it?
Gum disease is often known as periodontitis or periodontal disease and comes in several forms. Gingivitis is one of the milder, easy to treat versions of gum disease.
Periodontal (gum) disease is an infection of the tissues surrounding your teeth and starts with plaque and tartar build-up on and around the teeth and gums.
While early-stage gum disease (gingivitis) is easily treated, advanced stage gum disease is more complicated. It causes “pockets” to form between your tooth and gums, which in turn provides space for the bacteria to grow.
If left untreated, gum disease can not only cause tooth loss and damage or erosion to the bones in your jaw. It can also put you at higher risk of things like stroke, heart disease and diabetes.
- Bad breath
- The presence of blood while brushing or flossing
- Toothache
- Swollen, painful bright red or receding gums
- Feeling like you have loose teeth
While you can treat the earlier stages of periodontal disease at home, it is always best to have a regular comprehensive check-up, scale, and clean at your local dental clinic.
Dentists can detect signs of gum disease before the symptoms present and conduct additional cleaning that will remove any hard to reach plaque or tartar from your teeth.
How to treat Gum disease: What causes and fixes It?
Several contributing factors cause gum disease to develop. Plaque naturally occurs in the mouth, and brushing alone is not always enough to remove it.
Other causes can include shortcomings in oral hygiene, i.e. not brushing or flossing regularly, correctly, or long enough. Make sure you pay attention to your dentists’ instructions next time they’re showing you how to brush and floss, as this is your best defence against periodontal disease.
Having crowded or crooked teeth can also be a factor as it is harder for you to clean in between each tooth. Hormones (including those produced during pregnancy), smoking and other lifestyle factors, and medical conditions or treatments can also impact your gum health and risk of gum disease developing.
Gingivitis is relatively easy to treat with home care recommendations from your dentist. More advanced stages of the periodontal disease need dental treatment, including medication, in-chair treatments, or surgery.
Once the periodontal disease progresses past gingivitis, it cannot be cured, only treated and managed. This is why prevention and early detection is your best defence to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Don’t let the internet be your primary source to find out how to treat gum disease. Contact the friendly Bondi Beach Dental team on (02) 9365 6197 today if you have any symptoms or are due for your next check-up.
