‘Getting long in the tooth’ can describe some of the process relating to gum disease
Periodontal disease is an inflammatory disease caused by bacterial infection of the gums. It involves the gums, bone and supporting tissues and can lead to the loss of teeth.
Signs of Periodontal Disease include:
- Red, swollen, tender or bleeding gums (gingivitis)
- Gums that have shrunk from the teeth
- Sensitive teeth due to the exposure of the root surface
- Bad breath or bad taste in mouth
- Loosening of teeth or spaces appearing as teeth drift apart
The main cause of gum disease is the build-up of bacterial biofilm or plaque that forms around the gumline and between the teeth as a result of poor oral hygiene. Some people are more prone to developing gum disease due to hereditary reasons and the prevalence is much higher for those who smoke or vape.
Periodontal Disease also affects several general health outcomes
Recent research has shown correlation between periodontal disease and other chronic inflammatory conditions including:
- Cardiovascular disease and stroke
- Poorly controlled diabetes
- General lower energy due to a compromised immune system
- Risk of a lower weight baby if the mother has advanced gum disease
Prevention and treatment:
Your treatment depends on what level of gum disease you are experiencing. Your Dentist or Oral Health Therapist/Hygienist will assess your gum condition and give you advice relating to what treatment is required. If you would benefit by seeing a gum specialist (Periodontist) we will give you a referral.
Progression of the disease can be placed into the stages below:
- Inflamed and bleeding gums (gingivitis) –
Is reversible after a professional scale and clean along with following home care instructions the gums return to healthy - Gingivitis with attachment loss –
Requires removal of calculus/tartar deposited below and above the gum followed by effective home care + review visits and regular maintenance cleans - Gingivitis with attachment and bone loss (not reversible) with recession of gums –
Removal of calculus/tartar from root surfaces along with treatment of gum pockets. This usually requires two visits, with local anaesthetic to reduce discomfort. Effective home care and more regular dental visits are necessary to slow the progression of the disease - Gingivitis with attachment loss and severe bone destruction with loose teeth –
Removal of calculus/tartar from deeper root surfaces along with microbial treatment of gum pockets. Again this will likely take more than one visit and local anaesthetic is used. Effective home care with frequent maintenance visits is required. The long term prognosis for teeth at this level of gum disease is not promising.
Please contact us on 3396 4094 for a full examination and assessment of your gum health.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Smokers and also vape users are over five times more at risk that non-smokers of developing periodontal disease.
The connection between smoking and gum disease is caused by the suppression of the immune system of the body because of the toxins and chemicals in tobacco (or in vaping ingredients), which decreases the body’s ability to fight against infection. Smoking also slows down the healing process of the gum tissue because it restricts the flow of the blood vessels. The specific bacteria that causes more aggressive gum disease have found to be higher in a smoker’s mouth and there is often a higher incidence of dark calculus formation under the gumline.
The best way to prevent or reverse smokers gum disease is to quit smoking or vaping. While gum health depends greatly on a person’s dental hygiene and routine dental checkups, prevention and effective treatment of gum disease should include a smoke and vape-free lifestyle.
READ MORE: Periodontal Disease
Your Dentist or Oral Health Therapist can help to improve your breath and help to maintain a healthy mouth by providing a thorough scale and clean along with checking for the cause of your bad breath (halitosis). Some causes are:
- Bacterial overgrowth causing gingivitis or gum/periodontal disease
- Retained bacterial biofilm on tongue
- Drainage from sinus/throat or gastric reflux
- Untreated decay
- Reduced saliva flow
- Medications
- Smoking or diet
For those who are predisposed to gum disease due to hereditary reasons, it doesn’t mean that they are destined to develop the disease, as their parents may have.
However, it does mean that they should take precautions by having their gum health checked every 6 months at the dentist and by following a very thorough home routine of careful toothbrushing twice daily as well as regular flossing. The dentist or therapist should be told of the genetic predisposition so that they will be on the lookout for signs of early onset of gum disease.
Gum disease is primarily due to the type of bacteria in a person’s mouth and the way their immune system responds to the threat of the nastier bacteria responsible for this condition.
It has been found that there can be a contagious element to gum disease especially if you are predisposed – in other words it is possible to get the nastier bacteria found in gum disease from someone else.
Because gum disease can also be transmitted between spouses or between parent and child it is important that the whole family come regularly for dental checkups and cleans, along with preventative care at home.
READ MORE: Preventative Care.
We commonly use an ultrasonic scaler that sprays water and vibrates against the calculus/tartar to remove it from the tooth surface without force. We sometimes need to re-check some areas with a hand scaler before polishing your teeth. If your teeth are sensitive to cold or during your dental clean appointment, please tell us so we can try to minimise any discomfort.
It is helpful to use sensitive toothpaste for a few days prior to your professional clean if you have recently experienced tooth sensitivity.
To minimise the inflammation of the gums associated with the buildup of bacterial calculus it is important for you to have regular 6 monthly, thorough cleans with your dentist or oral health therapist and to follow a good routine of tooth brushing twice daily & flossing daily.
Healthy gums do not bleed easily – so if your gums bleed during your dental clean it generally means the bacterial biofilm or plaque has been resting against your gums and is in fact the cause of the bleeding. Your gums will heal quickly if you followup with a good home routine after your professional clean.
READ MORE: preventative care
