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GUM DISEASES AND PREVENTION
Periodontal Health and Gum Condition Assessment
Periodontitis is a common and preventable disease caused by a bacterial infection of the gums. If left untreated, periodontitis can lead to tooth loss and is a risk factor for persons with heart or lung diseases. Symptoms include swollen gums, red gums, and sensitive gums.
The key with gum disease is to catch it early – or prevent it from occurring in the first place. It is, in fact, rather preventable, so long as you are in the care of a professional dental clinic which has a specialty in periodontics. We recommend annual screenings for periodontal health to assess your gum condition. If you haven’t had a gum screening in a while, contact us at your earliest opportunity so that we can get out ahead of your gum health.
At DDS Collingwood, periodontal procedures prevent tooth loss by restoring the health of the gums and bone that support the teeth.
TREATING GUM DISEASE
Advanced Periodontal Treatments for Healthy Gums
Periodontal health is the approach we take to ensure that your gums are in good condition and are free of signs of gum disease. One of the steps we take as part of the comprehensive oral health care at our Collingwood dental clinic is periodontal screening. In this process, we assess the health and condition of your gums, looking at your supporting gum and bone structures as well as the overall appearance of your gums. Healthy gums are pink and firm. There should be no bleeding in gums; inflammation, redness or spongy texture are all potential signs of underlying issues in gum health and oral condition.
Contact DDS Collingwood Periodontics Specialists if you have any questions about periodontal treatment.
PERIODONTITIS TREATMENT OPTIONS
Dental Health Restoration
If your periodontitis isn't extensive, less invasive procedures such as scaling, root planing and antibiotics might be sufficient. However, you may require a specialised treatment plan from our specialists at DDS Collingwood after a dental assessment.
Scaling eliminates tartar and bacteria from the surfaces of your teeth as well as beneath your gum line. It can be carried out with the help of instruments, a laser, or an ultrasonic device.
Root planing removes bacterial by-products that lead to irritation and impede healing or reattachment of the gum to the tooth surfaces, as well as smoothing the root surfaces to discourage further tartar and bacteria accumulation.
Antibiotics can help manage bacterial infection. Antibiotic mouth rinses or antibiotic gels used in the space between your teeth and gums or into pockets after extensive cleaning are examples of topical antibiotics. Oral antibiotics, on the other hand, may be required to entirely eradicate infection-causing germs.
Periodontal Gum Disease FAQs
Periodontal disease is frequently silent, which means that symptoms, particularly pain, may not develop until the illness has progressed. You should, however, keep an eye out for the following indications and symptoms:
• Gums that are red, swollen, or sensitive, or other mouth pain
• When brushing, flossing, or eating specific foods, you may experience bleeding.
• Gums that are receding or pulling away from the teeth, making the teeth appear longer than they were previously.
• Teeth that are loose or separating
• Pus between your gums and teeth.
• You have mouth sores.
• Bad breath that doesn't go away
• When you bite, your teeth fit together differently.
• The fit of partial dentures has changed.
Please contact your dentist at DDS Collingwood Dentistry if you develop any of these symptoms.
Periodontal disease is rarely found in children, and only sometimes found in adolescents. Children should, however, be taught the necessity of maintaining healthy teeth and gums in order to avoid periodontal disease in the future. Brushing teeth twice a day and learning how to floss properly are recommended for children. If children learn how to floss at a young age, they are more likely to make it a lifetime habit. These two simple actions will aid in the prevention of periodontal disease in their teeth and gums.
You should be aware of the warning signs of periodontal disease as a parent, which include red, swollen, bleeding gums or persistent bad breath. Tell your dentist right once if your kid develops any of these symptoms. It's also a good idea to make sure your dentist is aware of your entire family history, because genetics can play a role in the development of periodontal disease.
Taking good care of your teeth and gums at home is the greatest method to avoid periodontal disease. Brush your teeth after every meal and before bedtime, floss at least once a day, and visit your dentist twice a year for regular exams. Spending a few minutes each day on preventative steps could save you time and money in the long run.
Periodontal disease is caused by an inflammatory response to germs behind the gums, according to research, thus it is technically not communicable. The bacteria that trigger the inflammatory reaction, on the other hand, can be transmitted by saliva. This means that if a member of your family has periodontal disease, it's best to avoid coming into contact with their saliva by not sharing dining utensils or dental equipment. If you find that your spouse or a family member is showing signs of a periodontal issue (bleeding, red and swollen gums, or poor breath), you should recommend that they visit a periodontist for an examination. It may be beneficial to everyone in the family's dental health.
Plaque is a sticky, colourless film that builds on your teeth over time. Bacteria in plaque produce acids that irritate gum tissue and cause tooth decay. This irritation triggers an inflammatory response in your body, which can lead to gingivitis and periodontitis. Plaque hardens into calculus if it is not removed on a regular basis with dental cleaning and flossing. Calculus is impossible to remove with a toothbrush; it can only be eliminated by a dental professional during an oral cleaning. Brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing at least once a day, and visiting your dentist for regular cleanings are all necessary to keep plaque and calculus under control. Calculus is also known as tartar.