What you need to know about gum disease

Have you noticed your toothbrush turning pink after you brush your teeth? Or maybe you’ve seen blood along your gums as you floss? Or perhaps you’ve got a case of bad breath that isn’t related to what you just had for lunch? Chances are you’ve got gum disease.

Gum disease, if left untreated, will lead to damage to your teeth as well as other systemic health conditions. The Limitless Dental team is here to help if you’ve noticed your gums aren’t feeling right or if we’ve noticed they need some treatment.

What’s gum disease and how did I get it?

Your gums play a vital role in holding your teeth in place. Gum disease, or periodontal disease, occurs often when the gums are inflamed as a result of poor oral hygiene, and can strike at any stage of life. Buildup of plaque irritates and damages your gums, leading to two types of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontitis. 

Gingivitis is a common form of gum disease. While mild, your gums can become separated from the teeth if left unchecked. The inflammation progresses to periodontitis, where bacteria can cause formation of pockets around the teeth, creating more areas for bacteria to spread and destabilise the structure of your gums and teeth. 

What are some of the signs and symptoms of gingivitis and periodontitis?

Please see your dentist if you notice any of the following symptoms of gum disease:

• Bleeding of the gums when brushing and flossing – healthy gums do not bleed
• Discoloured gums (think red and swollen, rather than pink and firm)
• Shrinking or receding gums
• Bad breath
• Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold food temperatures
• Loose teeth

What are some of the risk factors for gum disease?

Poor oral hygiene may lead to the development of gum disease, however there are certain risk factors that make it more likely that you’ll have gum disease:

• Smoking or taking drugs
• Chronically stressed
• Have poor nutrition
• Pregnancy
• Diabetes 
• Taking certain medications

How do I get gum disease treated?

Regular check up and cleans with your dentist, as well as your daily oral hygiene routine, should help in reducing the likelihood of developing gum disease. We can spot early signs of gum disease during a regular check up, whether via an exam or x-ray – the earlier it’s caught, the easier that gingivitis can be reversed. Once it progresses into periodontitis, the widespread inflammation and infection will be harder to treat. Several treatment options are available, whether that be with one of our Limitless Dental dentists or as a referral to a periodontist:

• Antibiotics or antibacterial mouth rinse
• Deep cleaning to remove the plaque and tartar above and below the gum line
• Surgery to open and clean pockets of gums that are badly infected
• Grafting of gum tissue to help replace badly diseased gum

You’ll also need to stick to your own daily dental routine to maintain the health of your gums and teeth, as well as regular check ups!

Give the team a call on 9569 8091 if you think you’ve got signs and symptoms of gum disease, we can help.