Gum Treatments

What You Don’t Know About Gum Disease Can Hurt You!

Brushing and flossing are important daily habits that contribute to a healthy smile. However, this daily regimen often isn’t enough to prevent gum (periodontal) disease. This chronic inflammation and infection of the gums and surrounding tissue cause about 70% of adult tooth loss, affecting three out of four persons at some point in their lives. Like smoking, elevated cholesterol or obesity, periodontal (gum and bone) disease, may be a risk factor for a number of serious health conditions. In recent studies, gum disease has been linked to:

• Heart disease and stroke.
• Pneumonia and other respiratory diseases.
• Diabetes.
• Premature, low birth weight deliveries.

If you have been diagnosed with gum disease, or are at risk for one or more of these health conditions, it is particularly important to pay attention to your oral health. The good news is that with regular, proper oral care, gum disease can be controlled or even reversed.

What Causes Gum Disease?

If not cleaned properly, the bacteria that are in our mouths can cause plaque to form and if it worsens the plaque can turn into tartar. Tartar can only be cleaned and removed by a dentist or dental hygienist.

If Caught Early, Gum Disease Is Treatable. There Are Two Stages Of Gum Disease:

1. Gingivitis

• Early stage that is caused from plaque build-up around edges of tooth causes bleeding, redness, and swelling of gums.

2. Periodontitis:

• Advanced stage, occurs when gingivitis is not taken care of.
• Gum margin (part that seals the tooth to the gum) is weakened and causes more swelling.
• Suffer bone loss within tooth.
• Periodontal pockets (when spaces form between gum and tooth).
• Tooth loss.

Non-surgical Procedures

• Scaling and root planing: While a prophylaxis cleans the visible portion of teeth, scaling and root planing remove plaque and calculus from the periodontal pockets (under the gum line) around the tooth and smooth the root surfaces to promote healing. A scaling procedure is the only way to remove calculus.
• Periodontal maintenance/periodontal cleanings/supportive periodontal therapy: Following periodontal treatment, these specialized “deep” cleanings can minimize the recurrence and progression of periodontal disease.

What You Can Do To Prevent Gum Disease

Oral health begins by taking preventive steps to care for your teeth and gums at home. In addition, to help prevent periodontal disease from advancing to the point of requiring surgical procedures, you can:

Visit our Scarborough Dental Offices regularly to have your teeth cleaned. This way, our hygienists can monitor your oral health and help you identify and prevent problems before they require more comprehensive or expensive treatment. Dr. Shawn Monga or Dr. Shiva Monga may suggest more frequent visits, depending on the diagnosis.

Contact Mantra Dental, EK Dental or PL Dental immediately if you experience warning signs of gum disease: red, swollen or tender gums; bleeding while brushing or flossing; gums that pull away from teeth; loose or separating teeth; persistent bad breath; changes in the way your teeth or partial dentures fit together when you bite.