Gum disease is the inflammation of the gum tissues that surround and support the teeth and gums and eventually leads to teeth and gum decay. Gum disease is actually deepening of the sulcus, the V shaped cavity between the gum and teeth. This deepening occurs due to infection in the gums and leads to various problems like swelling, bleeding and even loosing teeth.
Gum diseases mainly result from lack of proper oral hygiene like brushing and flossing and can cause some serious dental problems if they are not addressed on the right time.
It is the earliest stage of gum disease that is caused by dental plaque buildup at the gum line. It causes inflammation, redness and bleeding during brushing and flossing. It is easy to detect and treat gingivitis as the bone and connective tissues are not affected yet.
It is the advanced state of gingivitis in which the supporting bone and fiber that hold the teeth in place are damaged and plaque begins to deposit in a pocket below the gum line. Bone and tissue damage cannot be revered but professional periodontal therapy and effective oral hygiene can prevent further damage.
At this stage, the fibers and bone of your teeth are destroyed which leads the teeth to lose or shift. This affects your bite, chewing movement and speech. It needs aggressive periodontal treatment and even restorative steps if your teeth have to be removed.
Gum disease is mostly caused by buildup of plaque, an invisible sticky layer of germs that forms on the gums and teeth due to lack of proper brushing, flossing and dental hygiene. Plaque contains bacteria that produce toxins and these toxins irritate and damage the gums if they are not taken care of at the right time.
Gum diseases are also caused by other factors that include genetics, lifestyle choices as well as stress and medical conditions. A diet low in nutrients can reduce the body’s ability to fight infection and leads to gum problems; eating too many sugary and starchy foods also increases buildup of plaque and tarter so it is important to eat well.
Diseases that interfere with the body immune system can lead to gum problems such as leukemia, AIDS and diabetes.
Signs of gum disease
• Bleeding and swollen gums
• Redness and tenderness in the gums
• Receding or withdrawing gums
• Continuous bad breath
• Loosening teeth
• Increased sensitivity in teeth
• Dull pain or throbbing in teeth and gum while chewing
• Pus around teeth and gums
Gum diseases progress painlessly which makes it very difficult to diagnose at an early stage unless you look closely. It is important to keep an eye on your gums and take good care of them to detect any problems for immediate treatment.If plaque is not removed regularly, it hardens and turns into tartar that leads to decay in the long run. Brushing and flossing do not work at this stage so it is important to consult a dental hygienist regularly to get rid of plaque and tarter to enjoy healthy gums and teeth.
Thoroughly brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day with a quality brush can help to prevent gum diseases. In addition to this, visit your dental hygienist or a dentist for professional cleaning after every 3 to 6 months as you can avoid gum diseases only with the right measure.
Gum diseases treatment depends on the stage of the disease and your overall health condition. There are surgical as well as non-surgical treatments that strive to control the bacterial growth, restore normal oral functions and protect natural teeth.
While non-surgical approaches control the bacterial growth, the surgical procedures restore the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth. In many cases, non-surgical treatments are enough for patients; surgery is only required when the tissue around the teeth is affected and cannot be treated with non-surgical options.
Non-surgical treatments include scaling and root planning (SRP); this treatment scrapes and removes the plaque and tarter from teeth and root surface by scaling and then smoothing any roughness on the roots to prevent bacterial deposits. Specialized deep cleaning and periodontal maintenance can also reduce the recurrence of gum disease and provide supportive therapy for healthy gums and bones.
With this surgery, the dentist can remove infectious bacteria by folding back the gum tissue which smooths areas of the damaged bone, helping the gum tissue to reattach to the healthy bone.
Gum tissues are taken from your palate or other source to cover exposed roots of one or more teeth to reduce sensitivity, prevent decay and stop gum recession and bone loss.
This procedure places either natural or synthetic bone in the areas of bone loss along with tissue stimulating proteins to restore the bone destroyed by periodontal disease.
You can look forward to top quality and reliable gum disease treatment at Notting Hill Dental Clinic with highly experienced and trained dentists. Contact us now to get the best advice and treatment options for taking good care of your gums for long lasting and healthy smiles and optimal oral health.
22 Pembridge Road
Notting Hill Gate
Central London
W11 3HL
0207 727 4795
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