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The condition of your gums is essential to maintaining oral health throughout your life. Your gums hold each of your teeth in place but can be susceptible to disease and infection when untreated.
Gum disease is when the tissue that surrounds the base of teeth in both the upper and lower jaws becomes infected. At mild levels, it is very common for many adults but can progress to a severe level if left untreated.
Gingivitis occurs when plaque builds up along the gum line at the base of your teeth. When plaque hardens, it irritates teeth and can become inflamed, which then leads to gum swelling and bleeding. Plaque is typically removed when you brush and floss but can be built up on or between your teeth if you are not cleaning regularly or thoroughly. Gingivitis is typically reversible through improving your oral health routine and having a thorough dental scale and clean.
When gingivitis goes untreated, it can develop into the more severe periodontitis. The ongoing inflammation can create ‘pockets’ between your gums and teeth that then become filled with tartar and bacteria. This can then create decay in tissue and the bones of your teeth. Unlike gingivitis, periodontitis is not curable, but it can be managed with proper care and treatment from a professional.
While many things act as causes, the primary factor is plaque build-up, which irritates the gums when it is not removed through cleaning. Plaque develops into tartar, which causes a breakdown of tissue when untreated. People are also more likely to develop gum disease if they smoke, have diabetes, have poor nutrition, or have a genetic predisposition.
Common symptoms include redness and swelling of gums, bleeding when you brush or floss, bad breath, sensitivity, and receding gums. Gum disease, particularly in its mild form, is often painless, so noticing these signs is important to help you identify when you may be at risk. At later stages, you will likely begin to feel pain while chewing, and advanced periodontitis is also very likely to lead to tooth loss.
Treatment depends on the severity and stage of the disease. Gum disease can be reversed when it is mild, but it is still worthwhile getting onto it as soon as you can. At early stages, gingivitis is primarily treated with a thorough scale and clean from your dentist to remove the deposits of plaque and calculus, in combination with a renewed focus on your at-home cleaning habits.
For periodontitis, a more extensive and deeper scaling is required, often under the aid of local anaesthetic. A periodontal specialist may also recommend surgical treatments, including flap surgery to reduce the pockets between your gums and teeth and remove deposits of plaque and bacteria, soft tissue grafts to reduce gum recession, or bone grafting to prevent tooth loss.
To prevent further complications — or avoid developing serious gum disease in the first place — it is important to regularly clean your gums as well as your teeth, and look after them with healthy practices. Our most important tips are:
Our dentists and hygienists are trained professionals and committed to your wellbeing. Gum disease can be frightening, but when we can look after it early, we can help you make positive changes that will improve your oral health going forwards. Book an easy consultation with us today.
If your gingivitis is still at a mild stage, it may take months for it to develop into periodontitis, but it can develop much more quickly if you have severe gingivitis. However, there is often plenty of time to treat gingivitis before it gets worse, as long as you get it checked by a dentist and follow their instructions closely. Learn more about the stages of gum disease.
Electric toothbrushes are generally recognised as more effective than manual toothbrushes when it comes to treating gum disease, mostly due to their ability to remove plaque. Electric brushes have been observed to remove more plaque than their manual counterparts, and also work better at reaching more difficult areas where plaque may build up.
Gingivitis begins to heal when you remove plaque build-up in your mouth, which will depend on how thoroughly and regularly you brush and clean your teeth. With regular cleaning, other signs that indicate your gum disease is healing include no more gum swelling and no more bleeding while brushing or flossing.
Gum disease is treatable and reversible in its mild forms like gingivitis, but at more advanced stages of periodontitis, it is impossible to cure the disease. It can still be managed through multiple methods, delaying or stopping the decay of gums and bones, but the most effective means to treat gum disease is through prevention and an immediate improvement in oral health habits.
Your genetics are a risk factor when it comes to developing gum disease. If you have a family history of gum disease, it is more likely that you will experience those issues, making it all the more important to engage in positive, regular oral health habits and teeth cleaning.
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