Gum Disease
Treatment
in Ellenbrook
Most adult tooth loss is caused by gum diseases: gingivitis and periodontitis.
Gum Disease
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What is
Gum Disease Treatment?
Gums are a vital part of your dental health. Keeping your gums healthy can prevent teeth from becoming painful or even wobbly or loose.
Good oral hygiene is the best way to treat gum disease or periodontal disease, but additional dental and medical treatment may be necessary. Routine scale and cleans are a type of periodontal procedure using specialised dental instruments to clean around the teeth and gums. Beyond this common procedure, different periodontal services can be helpful if you have more severe gum disease, like Scaling & Root Planing (SRP) and various gingival grafts or connective tissue grafts, which can be beneficial if you have gum recession.
Benefits of
Treating Your Gum Disease
Periodontal therapy and maintaining good oral health habits are highly effective ways to protect against gum disease. There are several significant benefits, including:
- A beautiful smile
- Fresh breath
- Dental pain relief
- Tartar buildup removal
- Identification and dental treatment of other health problems
Why Choose
Ellen Stirling Dental
for the Treatment of Your Gum Disease in Ellenbrook
There is a serious risk of tooth loss if gum disease is not treated. This type of infection often starts as a minor issue. It then worsens over time, so people don’t always realise they need dental treatment for gum disease until the damage is done. If you think your gums may be infected, we recommend coming in for an appointment as soon as possible to get them checked by one of our dentists. We will advise you on how best to treat any problems and what steps you should take next.
Our team at Ellen Stirling Dental can help you treat your gum disease. We use the latest technology available to ensure patients receive effective treatments for gum disease quickly and easily. You will find us friendly, approachable, and understanding – just like all our staff – which means we can help make sure every patient feels comfortable during their visit here at Ellen Stirling Dental.
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FAQ'S About Gum Disease Treatment
What are the signs and symptoms of gum disease?
Most people are unaware they have gum disease because it can exist without any symptoms. Gum disease can manifest itself in specific ways, including the following warning signs:
- Gums that are red, puffy, tender, or swollen
- Gums that bleed when brushing or flossing
- Receding gums (“gummy smile”)
- Dark red gums or purple-red patches at the gum line
- Chronic bad breath (halitosis)
- Loose teeth
- Sensitive teeth
- A bad taste in the mouth caused by pus oozing from gums
- Dental pain when chewing
Is gum disease linked to other health problems?
The early stages of gingivitis can be reversed. However, untreated gingivitis increases the chance of acquiring respiratory diseases such as pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Periodontal disease is also associated with an increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, premature birth in women, and low birth weight infants.
However, it is essential to note that while gum disease is associated with these health problems, it hasn’t been proven to cause them.
What are the differences between gingivitis and periodontitis?
Gingivitis is a bacterial infection that causes gum inflammation. If left untreated, it can progress to periodontitis, a more severe form of gum infection.
Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease. It causes inflammation of the gums, but it does not usually result in symptoms. It’s possible to have gingivitis and be completely unaware of it. It usually causes minor problems that come and go. The disorder is reversible through proper oral hygiene and professional dental care.
Periodontitis, or severe gum disease, is the more advanced stage of gum disease and leads to the progressive destruction of teeth’ supporting structures. It can cause gum damage and tooth loss. Periodontitis is an inflammation of the periodontium, the gum tissue and bone that anchors your teeth. This medical condition can cause teeth to loosen as it advances.
What are the treatment options for gum disease?
Routine scale and cleans are a type of periodontal procedure using specialised dental instruments to clean around the teeth and gums. Prophylaxis (polishing procedure) using a specialised cleaning paste at the end of a scale and clean helps keep teeth glossy and smooth, which helps keep bacteria away from the tooth and, therefore, helps keep the gums in great shape. It is the type of treatment option we would recommend for everybody, usually two times per year.
Beyond this routine procedure, different periodontal services can be helpful if you have more severe gum disease, including Scaling & Root Planing (SRP) and various gingival grafts or soft tissue grafts, which can be beneficial if you have experienced gum recession. These grafts help to regrow the gums, which can improve the appearance of your smile, as well as cover exposed tooth surfaces that would otherwise be quite sensitive.
Last but not least, the most important periodontal procedures of all are those performed at home! We recommend you brush your teeth every day – once in the morning and once at night. We can help you with simple ways to improve your daily dental hygiene routine, and it doesn’t take much time at all. We recommend a combination of floss, water flossers, and daily brushing for most patients as a reliable way to minimise the chances of unforeseen gum problems and tooth pain.
What are the possible complications of gum disease?
Gingivitis can worsen if bacterial plaque or tartar deposits (hardened plaque) are not removed from your teeth. It can progress to periodontitis.
If you don’t treat chronic periodontitis, which affects the tissue that supports your teeth, you risk developing the following negative effects:
- Chronic gum abscesses, which can be painful
- Increased tissue damage to the periodontal ligament (the tissue connecting the tooth to the socket)
- Gum recession
- Loose teeth
- Increased loss and deterioration of alveolar bone (the bone within the jaw that contains the tooth sockets)
- Rapid bone destruction and loss of gum attachment
- Loss of teeth
How to prevent gum disease?
Maintaining good oral hygiene can minimise the risk of gum disease. A consistent oral hygiene practice can help you avoid plaque buildup and gum disease. The following are the basics of a proper oral hygiene routine:
- Regular brushing of your teeth twice a day
- Flossing at least once a day
- Consuming a nutritious and well-balanced diet
- Professional cleaning of teeth regularly
When should I visit a dentist for gum disease treatment?
We recommend scheduling a regular dental checkup twice a year. Visit a dental professional as soon as possible if you observe any gum disease symptoms. The earlier we design a treatment plan for you, the higher our chances of reversing periodontitis damage.