What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease can also be referred to as periodontitis or periodontal disease. It ultimately is a bacterial growth in your mouth which if left untreated can lead to tooth loss.
You may have also heard of gingivitis. This relates to gum inflammation and can often be an early warning sign that you may be developing gum disease. Please note, not everyone who has gingivitis will develop gum disease.
The key to preventing this from happening is through good oral hygiene and attending your regular check ups.
What Are The Signs Of Gum Disease?
- Bleeding gums (more noticeable when brushing your teeth*)
- Red, tender or swollen gums
- Bad taste in the mouth
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Deep pockets forming around your teeth
- Loose teeth
- Receding gum line
- Any changes to how the teeth fit together
*If you do notice blood when brushing or flossing your teeth, please continue to do so – it may be a bit alarming, but the best fight against gum disease is good oral hygiene. If you do stop, it will only make the condition worse as more bacteria is allowed to thrive.
What Happens If Left Untreated?
Periodontitis (gum disease) will develop into advanced periodontitis which essentially means the structures (bone/tissue) surrounding your teeth is falling apart. Your teeth will be mobile and at this stage you can start to lose teeth. If your at this stage already, call us today so we can explore the best options for you.
Is Gum Disease Treatable?
In short, yes it is, but there is a caveat to that. The sooner this condition is picked up, the quicker we can treat you and get you back to dental health. If it has progressed to the further stages, treatments will be more complex and will take longer to achieve the goal of dental health. Gum disease can cause irreversible damage as it progresses, so depending on your own case, additional treatment may be required to achieve your goals. For example, if you have lost teeth, a bone graft may be required to before dental implants can be placed.
It’s not as straight forward as other types of treatments, but we are here to hold your hand every step of the way. Please do not hesitate to call us or fill out our short form below and we will be happy to help.