Gum disease, also known as “periodontitis” or “periodontal disease” is a common oral health ailment associated with poor oral hygiene and hormonal fluctuations. Current research has discovered significant links between gum disease and systemic disease, such as heart problems, strokes and a number of other illnesses.
Gum disease, as well as its precursor (gingivitis) are treatable by the expert dentists and hygienist at Loy Dental Care. However, it can still cause damage to your mouth and should be taken seriously. Let’s get a better understanding of what gum disease is and how you can prevent it.
Gum disease often appears first as gingivitis. Gingivitis is characterized as the inflammation of the gums. Patients suffering from gingivitis may frequently experience pain, swelling, redness, or bleeding of the gums when brushing their teeth. This is largely due to a build-up of plaque, but no long-term or irreversible damage is typically done at this point.
Gingivitis can worsen and develop into full blown periodontitis – otherwise known as “gum disease” – if left untreated. With periodontitis, patients often report experiencing a separation of the gums from the teeth. This leads to the formation of pockets which are prone to infection. Infection and the spread of bacteria in patients with gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. The bacteria produced breaks down the tissue connecting tooth to gum, leading to a gradual loosening and eventual loss of teeth. Periodontitis can be a chronic illness and should be carefully monitored by the well-trained staff at Loy Dental Care.
Different treatments for gum disease may be appropriate based on how advanced its symptoms are. In some cases, a thorough professional teeth cleaning by the experienced dental hygienists at Loy Dental Care is all that’s needed. Other cases may call for scaling or root planing. Scaling is a process which scrapes plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line.
Root planing involves smoothing out any rough patches on the teeth which may trap bacteria, leading to a build-up.
Gum disease, as well as its precursor (gingivitis) are treatable by the expert dentists and hygienist at Loy Dental Care. However, it can still cause damage to your mouth and should be taken seriously. Let’s get a better understanding of what gum disease is and how you can prevent it.
In more severe cases, surgical treatment may be required. Surgical options may include tissue grafts to reinforce the gums or to compensate for lost gum tissue. Bone matter may also be restored via a graft. Surgery may also be performed to close the gaps between tooth and gum and to restore as much of the damage done as possible. These procedures may require the use of varying levels of anaesthetic and likely involve some discomfort. However, such serious cases of gum disease represent only a fraction of those afflicted and rarely are such extremes called for. This is, in part, because preventing gum disease is fairly simple. Most serious cases of gum disease can be avoided through diligent and disciplined oral hygiene at home. If you brush and floss regularly, you will likely be safe from the condition ever advancing to a stage where surgery is ever considered.