Your teeth might be the stars of the show when it comes to your smile but the health of your gums is equally as important. Gum tissue helps to hold your teeth in place and protects against harmful bacteria. Moreover, periodontal disease (gum disease) has been linked to a number of serious health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and pregnancy complications.
In this post, our Kelowna dentists will share essential information about gum disease, including the causes, symptoms, and treatment options. Understanding how gum disease starts and what you can do to prevent it will go a long way in helping you protect your periodontal health.
What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease, technically called periodontal disease, is inflammation and infection of the gum tissue, generally resulting from a bacterial infection. If not treated, gum disease damages the soft tissues, which start to pull away from the teeth, creating pockets.
These pockets are the perfect place for bacteria and food debris to accumulate and, depending on their depth, can be impossible to clean on your own. Over time, the infection spreads to the teeth-supporting ligaments and bone, leading to bone loss and, eventually, tooth loss.
Is gum disease curable? Well, in its earliest stage, which we’ll get to next, gum disease can be reversed with professional dental care and excellent oral hygiene. Once gum disease advances into periodontitis, the more severe form, the damage can’t be reversed. However, your dentist can manage it and stop or slow its progression.
The Stages of Gum Disease
Gingivitis
The first stage of gum disease is gingivitis. The gums may be red and puffy and bleed easily when you brush and floss. Gingivitis is highly treatable with timely dental care, which highlights the importance of keeping up with routine cleanings and exams.
During a dental cleaning, the hygienist uses special tools to remove the hardened plaque, or tartar, from around and under the gumline.
Patients sometimes wonder how to cure gum disease without a dentist but, unfortunately, you can’t get rid of tartar with a regular toothbrush and floss. Reversing gingivitis requires professional treatment, as well as diligent homecare.
Your dental team will provide personalized suggestions to help you fully eliminate the inflammation and prevent it from returning.
Periodontitis
When gingivitis isn’t treated, gum disease progresses to the next stage, which is periodontitis. Periodontitis causes mild, moderate, or severe damage to the teeth-supporting tissues (gum and bone). In fact, bone loss around the affected teeth is a hallmark of the condition.
The earlier periodontitis is diagnosed and treated, the better the outcome will be. Periodontal therapy and good oral hygiene can prevent further damage and help you keep your natural teeth.
Once you reach the final stage of advanced periodontitis, there is significant destruction of the soft tissues and bone, leading to tooth mobility and loss. Aggressive treatment will be needed to combat the infection and, in extreme cases, tooth extraction may be required.
Causes of Gum Disease
The primary cause of gum disease is plaque buildup. Plaque is a sticky bacterial film that constantly forms on the teeth as the bacteria in the mouth feed on sugars and starches from food.
If plaque isn’t removed through brushing, flossing, and dental cleanings, inflammation can occur, causing gingivitis. The plague eventually hardens into tartar, which you can’t brush away with a toothbrush.
The buildup may cause bacteria to travel below the gumline. Periodontal pockets then form. As the bacteria release toxins in the pockets, inflammation worsens and the gums and bone deteriorate.
Risk factors for gum disease include:
- Smoking
- Poor oral hygiene
- Diabetes
- Genetics
- Poor nutrition
- Certain medications
- Underlying systemic issues
- Hormonal changes like those that occur during pregnancy and menopause
- Bruxism (teeth clenching and grinding)
- Crooked teeth that are had to clean
Gum Disease Symptoms
What does gum disease look like? In its earliest stages, you might not have any signs. Common symptoms include:
- Puffy, swollen gums
- Bright red or purplish gums
- Bleeding gums
- Tender gums
- Persistent bad breath
- A bad taste in the mouth
- Receding gums
- Pain when chewing
- New spaces between the teeth
- Pus between the teeth and gums
- Changes in your bite
- Loose teeth
- Changes in the way partial dentures fit
- Tooth loss
Gum Disease Treatments
Treating gingivitis usually involves professional dental cleaning so we can remove soft plaque and tartar. Maintaining good oral hygiene by brushing twice a day and flossing at least once daily is also key. We may recommend or prescribe a mouthwash too.
Periodontitis treatment will depend on several factors, including the severity of your condition. Options may include:
Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing, sometimes called deep cleaning, is where we remove plaque and tartar above and below the gumline, including in the bottom of the periodontal pockets. We also smooth tooth roots to make it harder for plaque to stick to them.
Medication
We can place antibiotics or antimicrobial creams into the gum pockets to treat the infection. This might be done on its own or as part of a scaling and root planing procedure.
Laser Dentistry
At Discover Dental, we have a soft tissue laser that can be used to treat infection and perform gum reshaping or surgery. Because lasers are so precise, there is very little bleeding and many patients find treatment is more comfortable.
Surgical Dentistry
Sometimes, surgical procedures like gum grafting are the best way to save your natural teeth. In severe cases, tooth extraction could be needed. If a tooth is extracted, a bone graft and dental implant can help to restore the function, appearance, and health of your smile.
Preventing Periodontal Disease
The good news is that gum disease can be prevented. Here are some important steps you can take to keep your gums healthy:
- Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Avoid aggressive brushing, which can damage the gums and increase your risk of periodontal disease.
- Floss once a day. If you’re prone to plaque build up or have risk factors for gum disease, consider using a water flosser in addition to conventional string floss.
- Add mouthwash to your oral hygiene routine. Swishing with mouthwash adds an extra layer of protection by whisking away plaque and food you may have missed while brushing and flossing.
- Quit smoking or using other tobacco products.
- Eat a well-rounded diet with plenty of vegetables, firm fruits, low-fat dairy or dairy alternatives, healthy fats, lean proteins, and complex carbohydrates. Enjoy starchy foods and sugary foods and drinks in moderation.
- Visit the dentist for a cleaning and exam once every six months (or according to your dentist’s recommended schedule).
The Bottom Line
Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is inflammation and infection of the gum tissue. If not treated, the infection can spread to the ligaments and bone, resulting in bone loss and tooth loss.
Brushing, flossing, and keeping up with routine cleanings and exams are the best ways to prevent gum disease. Our family dentists provide personalized homecare recommendations to patients of all ages to help keep the gums healthy.
If your gums are swollen or they bleed when you brush and floss, schedule a dental exam. The earlier gum disease is addressed, the easier it is to reverse it or slow its progression.
Looking for Gum Disease Treatment in Kelowna, BC?
Discover Dental Centre can help! Our experienced dentists offer a range of modern solutions and techniques for treating gum disease and restoring oral health.
Book an appointment with us today!