Are your gums red and swollen? Do your gums bleed when you brush or floss? If so, you could have gum disease, a serious oral health problem. Fortunately, if you catch and treat gum disease early, it can be reversed.
So, how can you spot the signs of gum disease, and how can your Dunedin dentist treat this common dental issue?
Understanding Gum Disease and Its Impact
Gum disease occurs when plaque and tartar build up along and under your gumline. Research shows that if it’s left untreated, the bacteria can spread and lead to numerous health complications, including the following:
- Diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease
- Dementia
- Cancer
- Pregnancy complications
The Key Symptoms: Early Warnings and Advanced Indicators
There are two main types of gum disease, gingivitis and periodontitis.
Here’s what you should watch for:
Early Warning Signs (Gingivitis)
Red, swollen gums, tender gums or gums that bleed when you brush or floss and bad breath
Advanced Signs (Periodontitis)
Persistent bad breath, gum recession, loose teeth, changes in your bite, pain when chewing and pus around your gums
Causes and Controllable Risk Factors
Understanding what causes gum disease and the risk factors associated with it are important steps in avoiding oral health issues.
The Root Cause: Plaque and Tartar
Plaque is the sticky film that irritates your gums; it contains harmful bacteria that lead to gingivitis, the early stages of gum disease. When the plaque hardens into tartar, your toothbrush can’t remove it, leading to even more bacterial buildup.
Both plaque and tartar lead to pockets between your teeth and gums, allowing bacteria to spread and eventually cause gum disease.
Major Risk Factors
There are certain risk factors associated with gum disease, including poor oral hygiene, smoking, diabetes, hormonal changes, genetics, stress and certain systemic diseases.
Treatment Path and Prevention at Bell Hill Dental
Our experienced hygienists can formulate a treatment plan to help you prevent gum disease, but if you need treatment, they’ll provide gentle scaling and polishing to remove harmful bacteria and restore your oral health.
They’ll work with you to improve your brushing and flossing technique and apply preventive agents to your teeth and gums to stop gum disease before it starts.
Need to Arrange Dental Cleans in Dunedin, Otago?
If you’re looking for a dentist in Dunedin or the surrounding area, feel free to reach out to our experienced dental team! At Bell Hill Dental, we’ll do whatever we can to help you achieve healthy teeth and gums.
Feel free to call us on 03-477 8387 to arrange a visit.