Keep gum disease away
GUM disease, or periodontal disease, refers to a group of problems that arise in the sulcus, the gap between the gum and the tooth.
The periodontium is the part of the mouth that makes up gum and supporting structures. It protects your teeth and the structures that hold them in place.
Gum disease starts when plaque, made up of bacteria, mucus, shedded cells and food particles, invades the small space between your gums and teeth.
If left to fester, your gums can become infected, putting them and your teeth at risk. If gum disease progresses, it becomes increasingly difficult, painful and expensive to treat.
Gum disease is a lifestyle deficiency and usually starts in areas that you are not brushing well or keeping clean.
Swelling of the gums ( also known as gingivitis) is one of the first signs of gum disease. Other symptoms include gum redness, bleeding while brushing or flossing, a receding gum line, loose teeth, halitosis ( constant bad breath) and mouth sores.
Gum problems can worsen if you do not get gingivitis treated. Infection and inflammation can spread deeper into the tissues that support the tooth.
At an advanced stage, gum disease is called periodontitis. Periodontitis causes the tissue and bone that support the teeth to break down, creating gum pockets where bacteria can grow. As you lose dentoalveolar bone, your teeth get looser and looser and will eventually drop off.
To treat gum disease, your dentist would remove the root cause of gum disease – plaque – on your teeth.
The dentist would clean around all affected areas, including the bottom of the pocket of the tooth, where the most harmful bacteria are. This deep- cleaning process is called scaling and dental prophylaxis.
Other causes will also be explored, such as loose fillings or crowns. Your dentist may take an X- ray to check for bone loss.
If the problem is severe, your dentist may refer you to a periodontist – a dentist who specialises in gum disease.
To keep gum disease at bay, you are recommended to:
Brush with fluoride toothpaste twice a day
Clean between the teeth using floss or other cleaning tools
Swish twice daily with non- alcoholic antiseptic mouth rinse containing chlorhexidine gluconate
See your dentist regularly ( at least once a year) and correct any dental issues that predisposes you to gum disease Stop smoking Visit the dentist more often if you are pregnant
Your gums are a barrier that helps prevent inflammation that may damage your body.
Fortunately, for most people, daily brushing and flossing along with regular check- ups can mitigate and prevent gum disease. – For more information, call 03- 2698 9530.