Gum disease in Oshawa is very common, and one major problem is that it often causes few symptoms early on. Consequently, it’s often ignored until it progresses, by which time gum disease or periodontal disease can cause considerable damage.
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is caused by bacteria in plaque. Everybody has dental plaque, a sticky biofilm that builds up over tooth surfaces between regular brushing and flossing. The problem arises when dental plaque isn’t thoroughly removed, so the bacteria within it begin to infect the gums.
Dental plaque hardens into calculus (tartar) within a couple of days, so by this stage, you can no longer remove it with brushing and flossing. It has to be removed during a professional dental cleaning in Whitby.
The infection caused by plaque and tartar triggers an inflammatory response, and this inflammation begins to destroy gum tissue. Without treatment, the infection and inflammation spread from the gum tissue to the jawbone underneath, which helps hold your teeth in place.
Without treatment, the gums and bone surrounding your teeth are destroyed, breaking down the attachment between your teeth and the bony tooth sockets. Eventually, tooth loss occurs.
Signs to Watch out for
Various signs can indicate that you have the earliest form of gum disease, gingivitis. At this point, your gums might begin to bleed slightly when you brush or floss. This is the best stage to catch gum disease, as we can reverse it entirely.
When gum disease worsens, it causes additional symptoms, including red, puffy gums. They may feel tender to the touch. You may notice your teeth look longer because your gums have begun to recede. In some cases, gum recession can expose tooth roots.
Advanced gum disease, or periodontal disease, can cause persistent bad breath and a very unpleasant taste. You may notice your teeth feel looser or that your bite is changing.
How Is Gum Disease Treated?
The treatments we may recommend depend on the degree of infection. When you visit Margolian Dentistry, we can examine your teeth and gums and quickly assess the extent of the damage. We may take digital dental X-rays to visualize any jawbone loss around your teeth and to plan treatment accurately.
Below are some of the treatments we may recommend.
Professional Dental Cleaning
If you have the earliest signs of gingivitis, a professional dental cleaning might be all that’s needed. Removing plaque and tartar buildup removes the harmful bacteria that cause this infection.
You will likely also need to pay closer attention to your oral health routine to prevent plaque and tartar buildup in the future. Following this advice will improve your gum health within a matter of weeks.
Scaling and Root Planing
A more extensive infection may require scaling and root planing, a deep dental cleaning that removes plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth and exposed tooth roots.
After treatment, your gums will begin to fit more snugly around your teeth. We may recommend antibiotics or an antimicrobial mouth rinse, or use laser therapy to help eliminate harmful bacteria more effectively.
Treating Advanced Periodontal Disease
When periodontal disease is more advanced, it can be chronic, and you might need regular deep dental cleanings to manage it. Your treatment plan may combine nonsurgical treatments, such as deep dental cleanings, with surgical procedures. These may be necessary if the gum tissue is severely damaged and cannot heal, and must be removed.
However, gum disease in Ajax is preventable. It’s a major reason why we recommend regular dental exams and hygiene appointments. Following a good preventive dental care routine can help you maintain healthy, disease-free gums and strong and stable teeth.