Your gums may be one of your body's most unappreciated structures. They are like the hidden foundation of a skyscraper or the piers which keep the Story Bridge from collapsing into the Brisbane River. Yet they are frequently upstaged by your teeth, those pearly prima donnas who are more than happy to take all the credit for your healthy smile.
But like all foundations and underlying structures, you only tend to notice your gums when they stop functioning correctly. And unfortunately for us in Australia, our teeth's foundations may be under threat. Researchers at the University of Adelaide found that three out of ten adults suffer from early-stage gum disease. But more worrying is that the number doubles for Australians over 75, to six out of ten now suffering from moderate to severe gum disease.
At BeWell Dental, what we find most tragic about these statistics is that periodontal disease is entirely preventable. Gum disease is virtually unheard of for patients who maintain regular dental check-ups and professional cleans from an early age. In addition, people who floss daily have a much lower incidence of periodontal disease because the bacteria that cause the condition can find no quarter. But if you may be suffering from gum disease at any stage, we can help.
The Phases and Warning Signs of Gum Disease
Periodontal disease and tooth decay have the same cause: the unhealthy growth of bacteria in your mouth. Though these little buggers exist in your mouth naturally, your body wants their populations strictly controlled. The problem arises when bacteria become super-charged by the readily available food source and rapidly reproduce due to our carbohydrate-infused diets.
If they aren't removed, these populations form a sticky layer on your teeth and gums called plaque. Plaque can morph into a hard crust called calculus; all the while, these bacteria release acid that erodes your tooth enamel and gum tissue.
The earliest form of gum disease is called gingivitis. This condition is characterised by the following:
- Mildly swollen or tender gums
- Light bleeding when flossing
- Gums that appear redder than the standard healthy pink
As gingivitis progresses, your gum damage becomes more pronounced, which causes the appearance of gum pockets or uneven areas along your tooth line. In these regions, those bacteria accumulate, forming layer after layer of infection. Remember: the natural tendency of intense bacterial growth or condition is to grow if you don't intervene. With persistently inadequate care, gingivitis becomes full-blown periodontal disease.
At this point, the symptoms of gingivitis will become worse, your gums will bleed even with light use of your toothbrush, but new symptoms will also appear:
- Gum pockets create noticeable space between your teeth and gums
- Gums appear puffy with infectious fluid
- Teeth may begin to feel looser
- Persistently bad breath
If these unpleasant symptoms don't prompt you to seek dental care, your condition will continue to advance until you have severe periodontal disease, known as periodontitis. At this point, your teeth may already be shifting due to gum recession, and you may develop painful infectious pockets called abscesses. The final result is loss of teeth, to total tooth loss.
Early-Stage Periodontal Disease Is Reversible
With all this doom and gloom about gum disease, there is one upside: gingivitis is completely reversible. So if you observe those early symptoms and visit your dentist for a check-up and clean, then our specially trained hygienists can eliminate those initial accumulations of plaque and calculus. Then they can advise you on how to brush and floss most effectively to keep those bacteria under wraps. We will also provide follow-ups to prevent periodontal disease in all forms.
Periodontal Disease Treatments Available in Highgate Hill, QLD
When your gum disease condition has gone beyond the bounds of gingivitis, our goal will be to stop any further progression. At Be Well Dentistry, we may recommend a deep periodontal cleaning, which is a specialised procedure that does two things: it aggressively removes deposits. Also, it smooths out gum tissue to minimise the areas where bacteria like to hide.
During these treatments, we will help you feel little pain by numbing your gums thoroughly and working with leading-edge technology like electric handpieces. In addition, our team specialises in ensuring that your deep cleaning is as effective as possible while supporting your comfort and peace of mind.
Can You Fix Periodontitis Yourself?
You might think that if you observe some signs of periodontal disease in your own mouth, perhaps you can brush and floss more, and the condition will go away. Unfortunately, this assumption is more dangerous than you may appreciate. Advanced conditions like periodontitis won't just stop with your teeth. Instead, bacteria from gum disease attack your jawbone tissue, weakening your bone to the point of fracture.
At its worst, an aggressive infection may find its way into other parts of your body via glands in your neck and cause a life-threatening general infection. Our goal is to prevent these repercussions from ever being a possibility, especially when you remind yourself of the essential truth that gum disease is entirely preventable.
We Help Prevent and Treat Periodontal Disease in Highgate Hill, QLD
Ultimately, the Be Well Dentistry team wants you to know the best way to deal with gum disease is never to let it become established in your mouth. Instead, we encourage you to seek out the best preventive dentistry to keep your mouth, and indeed your overall well-being, strong and vital.