February is Gum Disease Awareness Month, an opportunity to shed light on gum disease and to raise awareness of the importance of taking care of your gums. We focus a lot on teeth, but your gums are just as important!
Did you know that 3 out of every 10 Australians live with moderate to severe gum disease?
Gum disease can sneak up unexpectedly, because for many, early gum disease symptoms go unnoticed. Unfortunately, when left untreated, gum disease has the potential to jeopardise your otherwise healthy smile.
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ToggleWhat is gum disease?
Gum disease, also known as ‘Periodontal Disease’ is a range of serious infections that can harm your gums, the soft tissue around your teeth. If not treated, it can progress to damaging the bone supporting your teeth, leading to tooth loosening or even tooth loss.
There are two main types of gum disease:
- Gingivitis – is early-stage gum disease. This more common and milder form of gum disease affects the area where your gum meets your tooth. At this early stage, gum disease might be easy to ignore, because the deeper parts of your gums, teeth and bones haven’t suffered damage yet. The good news is, when identified and treated early, gingivitis can often be reversed.
- Periodontitis – If gingivitis goes untreated or is difficult to manage, it can advance to periodontitis. Periodontitis is a common chronic condition, affecting approximately 25% of Australia’s adult population. This condition involves inflammation of your periodontium, the gum and bone structures surrounding and supporting your teeth, keeping them in place.
Periodontitis can lead to weakening in your gums, causing them to ‘fall away’ from your teeth and allowing spaces to form between your teeth and gums. In time, harmful bacteria can get trapped in these spaces. Your bone can be damaged and lost and in severe cases, the structures supporting your teeth may become so damaged that your teeth loosen and, could even fall out.
Gum disease causes
It all starts with plaque. Plaque is a sticky film containing bacteria that forms on your teeth and along your gumline throughout the day.
You might recognise the feeling of plaque on your teeth If your teeth have ever felt a bit fuzzy after neglecting your toothbrush for a while.
When plaque isn’t regularly removed from your teeth through proper brushing, your mouth may become a breeding ground for bacteria, leading to gum irritation. As a natural response, your immune system kicks in and triggers inflammation. This inflammation shows up as redness and swelling in the gums around your affected teeth and eventually progresses to gum disease.
The main risk factor for gum disease is poor oral hygiene, however, several other risk factors could also contribute to the development of gum disease, including:
A high-sugar diet
- Illicit drug use
- Smoking
- Drinking alcohol
- Stress
- Misaligned teeth (making it harder to clean your teeth well)
- Some medical conditions like diabetes or cancer
- Dry mouth which may be caused by certain medications or mouth breathing.
Gum disease symptoms
The symptoms of gum disease vary in severity from person to person, but some common warning signs include:
- Swelling, redness or tenderness in your gums
- Bleeding from your gums when you floss or brush your teeth
- Receding gumline
- Changes to your bite due to movement of your teeth
- Halitosis (chronic bad breath)
- Heavy buildup of tartar on your teeth.
Gum disease treatment
The good news about gum disease is that it can often be avoided by adopting a few simple steps to care for your oral health.
Start by brushing your teeth for at least 2-minutes every day and make flossing a daily habit. This routine aims to keep plaque – the main culprit behind gum disease – under control. Also, consider incorporating mouthwash into your daily oral health routine. Using mouthwash may help to reduce the bacteria in your mouth, contributing to a healthier oral environment.
Consider a visit to your dentist to spot any risk factors or early-stage gum disease. Early treatment can help prevent the issue from escalating into a more significant problem.
If you find yourself with symptoms of gum disease you may need a series of deep cleaning or debridement treatments. Our team aims to ensure your comfort during these procedures by using numbing medication and special instruments. In certain situations, antibiotics may also be prescribed to help in the treatment process.
How Lillybrook Dental can help
If the signs of gum disease sound familiar to you, you’re not alone. Many people face this issue at some point in their lives. The good news is that early treatment with Lillybrook Dental may help in preserving your smile.
Protecting your oral health and managing gum disease is a partnership between yourself and your dental team. While you continue your cleaning efforts at home, your dentist will provide regular ongoing checks and care.
Our Lillybrook Dental team aims to help you keep your smile healthy and happy for years to come. To discover more about how our team at Lillybrook Dental may help you in preventing or treating gum disease, visit our page on Gum Disease.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please feel free to give us a call or make a booking here.
Disclaimer
All information is general and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Lillybrook Dental can consult with you regarding your individual health needs.
References
- Australian Dental Association. (2023). Gum Diseases. https://www.teeth.org.au/gum-diseases, [Accessed 3rd January 2024].
- Australian Dental Association. (2023). Gum Disease Treatment. https://www.teeth.org.au/gum-disease-treatment, [Accessed 3rd January 2024].
- Better Health Channel. (2022). Gum Disease. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/gum-disease, [Accessed 3rd January 2024].
- Healthline. (2023). Gum Disease. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/gum-disease, [Accessed 3rd January 2024].