Gum Disease

Gum disease, also known as Periodontitis, is a bacterial infection that, over time, can lead to the loss of gum and supporting tissues that help hold your teeth in place. When plaque is not effectively removed through daily flossing and brushing, it hardens and forms into calculus, which unfortunately can only be removed by a dentist. This buildup of calculus not only encourages further buildup to occur, but your gums become more susceptible to infection and inflammation.
 

Early signs of Gum disease

There are three stages of gum disease:

Other symptoms of Gum disease

Gum disease is primarily painless, and because of this, many people suffer from it without even realizing until it’s in its advanced stages or picked up by their dentist. Interestingly, not everyone who has calculus buildup will develop Gum disease. It depends on your immune system as to whether you are at risk. Keeping plaque and calculus at bay is the best way to prevent Gum disease. This can be done by maintaining good oral hygiene habits and routine check-up and clean appointments with your dentist.

Gingivitis is typically treated through routine professional cleans with your dentist and improved oral hygiene habits at home.

However, Periodontitis in either it’s early or advanced stages will require a specialized deep clean to remove plaque and calculus that has accumulated below the gumline. This type of clean is known as root debridement.
 

Treating Gum disease

Your dentist will utilize local anaesthetic to keep you comfortable throughout the treatment. Because the damage caused by Gum disease is irreversible, treatment is performed to halt the damage process, rather than reverse it.

Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, reducing stress, and a balanced diet can have a profound impact on the success of your treatment. Improved oral hygiene habits and routine dental visits are essential in helping the inflammation to cease, for healing to occur, and to prevent it from advancing any further.