What exactly is gum disease? A brief guide from our dentist at Spa Dental

It has been referred to as the ‘forgotten plague’ by many dentists and some experts in the media, leading patients to wonder exactly how bad gum disease can actually be.

Like most things, gum disease usually starts as a minor complaint; a bit of blood when brushing and, if left untreated, it develops into something much harder to manage and control.

But what exactly causes gum disease, how is it treated by dental teams and how can you prevent it?

At Spa Dental, our dentist Sydney has helped numerous patients to recover from this insidious condition. With the help of our hygienist and an emphasis on educating our patients about good oral health, we hope to have prevented many cases of gum disease, while also helping to reverse others. Which we find greatly rewarding.

Here, our dentist Sydney offers a brief guide to gum disease, helping you to learn how to keep your gums healthy and happy.

What is gum disease?

In simple terms, gum disease is an inflammatory response.

Should you have a build-up of plaque on your teeth, it will eventually harden and calculus will form. This causes the gums to become irritated and as a result, they swell; this makes them more porous, prone to bleeding, and absorbing bacteria.

Should you see our dentist Sydney, they will aim to remove the plaque and offer antibacterial mouthwash.

What to look out for

There are a few ways to identify gum disease in yourself and your children.

Do your gums and teeth seem to bleed when you brush them? If so, then you probably have an early stage of gum disease.

If there is swelling, a red discolouration, loose teeth and a persistent offensive bad taste and odour, then pop in to see our team for a consultation.

How we treat it

As we mentioned briefly earlier, if we suspect that you have gum disease, we will aim to remove the hardened plaque which is causing the inflammation.

Commonly, this is performed with a scale and polish and will be done by a member of our hygienist team. They will also be able to track the progress of gum disease if it is a recurring issue and provide feedback on ways that we and you can manage it.

Our team may also provide you with antibacterial toothpaste and interdental brushes to help you manage the condition at home too.

How to prevent recurrence

If you have developed gum disease as the result of poor hygiene, then you need to up your dental hygiene regime and continue to see our team every 6 months for check-ups. If you have a family history of gum disease, then the best way to prevent it from recurring is to see our hygienist twice a year or as needed.

Long-term complications

Untreated gum disease can lead to tooth loss, heart disease and has even been identified as a cause of cancers.

So, if you are worried you have it, come and see our team!

DISCLAIMER All treatment carries risks. Individual consultation is required with one of our practitioners to ensure that the treatment is right for you.