It is important to maintain the condition of your gums for the sake of your overall health.
If you are committed to taking good care of your smile, you will know that proper oral hygiene is key. But, when it comes to maintaining a healthy smile in the long term, there’s more to consider than simply brushing your teeth every day. Looking after your gums is an extremely important part of your oral health regime as gum disease, especially in its advanced stages, can lead to some serious issues. For this reason, it is helpful to understand what factors could put you at risk of gum disease and what you can do to keep the issue at bay…
What is gum disease?
In its most severe form, gum disease is known as periodontitis. Periodontitis is an infection that causes inflammation of the gums, as well as the ligaments and bones that surround and support the teeth. If left untreated, gum disease can cause receding gums, bone loss, loose teeth, and even tooth loss. The disease has also been linked to other health concerns, including heart-related problems.
What puts you at risk of gum disease?
There are a few factors that can increase your risk of developing gum disease, one of which is poor oral hygiene. If you don’t brush and floss your teeth regularly, plaque is likely to build-up and spread to the area below the gumline. The bacteria in plaque can cause significant irritation of the gum tissue. It can lead to infection and inflammation of the bones and tissues that support the teeth. Over time, the disease will continue to advance, causing more and more damage to the teeth, gums and bone.
Certain lifestyle habits can also put you at risk for gum disease. These include smoking as well as poor nutrition. Some diseases, such as diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and cardiovascular disease, can also affect the condition of your gums by interfering with your immune system’s ability to fight off infection.
Other risk factors for gum disease include hormonal changes, such as those experienced during pregnancy, advanced age, and a family history of the disease.
Can gum disease be treated?
One of the best things you can do to keep gum disease under control is to see your dentist for regular check-ups and cleans. By having your teeth professionally cleaned every six months or so, it is possible to get rid of any accumulated plaque and tartar and keep your teeth and gums in good condition.
If you notice any of the symptoms of gum disease, such as tender, swollen or bleeding gums; a receding gum line; chronic bad breath; pain when chewing; loose teeth; or pus between the teeth, it is very important that you see your dentist as soon as possible. Your dentist will perform a non-surgical procedure known as scaling and debridement to clean below the gum line. If this is unsuccessful, your dentist may recommend that you undergo periodontal surgery to stop the progression of bone loss.
How can we help?
At Beenleigh Marketplace Dental, we urge all of our patients to come and see us for regular check-ups and cleans. When it comes to gum disease, early treatment is always recommended to avoid serious complications down the line.
We provide non-surgical cleaning to get rid of plaque and calculus, as well as periodontal surgery. If you would like to find out more about our treatments for gum disease, please have a look here. If you would like to arrange a consultation with us, please don’t hesitate to get in touch here or give us a call at (07) 3801 8799. We love to help our patients maintain healthy and beautiful smiles for life and are available to provide you with all the information and advice you need to enjoy optimal oral health.