Gum disease is a common dental problem that affects people all over the world. It occurs when bacteria in your mouth form plaque on your teeth. Over time, this plaque can harden into tartar, leading to infection and inflammation in your gums, known as periodontal gum disease. Dental treatments can help to control the infection, but you’ll need to care for your teeth on a daily basis to keep any problems at bay.
The Dangers of Periodontal Gum Disease
Left unchecked, the infection in your gums will continue to spread. As it gets down into the deeper levels of your gums, it can reach the underlying bone. As your body’s immune system works to fight the infection, it can begin to attack the infected bone, causing it to deteriorate. If you lose too much bone, your teeth can loosen or even fall out entirely.
What’s more, the infection can get into your bloodstream, causing problems in other areas of your body. This can include complications like heart disease, stroke, blood clots and more. Your body is an interconnected system, not a series of independent parts, which is why we take a holistic approach to gum disease treatment in Melbourne. We look at the big picture of your overall health, not just your teeth and gums.
The Progression of Gum Disease
At the mildest level of gum disease, you have gingivitis, which involves swollen and irritated gums. They may bleed slightly when you brush, and there may be a bit of an odour on your breath. If you don’t catch gingivitis early on, it can progress into periodontitis. This more serious form of gum disease occurs when pockets form between your teeth and gums, making it even easier for bacteria to get in. Over time, your gums can begin to recede, causing your teeth to loosen, fall out or require extraction.
Gum Disease Treatment in Donvale
At Holistic Dental Donvale, we can assist you in getting gum disease under control. For starters, we’ll examine your mouth, measuring how deep the pockets between your teeth and gums are. We’ll also take x-rays to evaluate the condition of the underlying bone. If we find evidence of gum disease, we’ll give your teeth a thorough cleaning to remove any plaque and tartar that has formed. During this process, your dentist will also treat any infection and bacteria to get your gums healthy once again. In extreme cases, you may require a bone graft to replace lost bone tissue and prevent your teeth from falling out.
After treatment, it is essential that you work to keep your gums healthy going forward. This includes brushing and flossing twice a day, quitting smoking and minimising processed sugar in your diet. You’ll also need to continue to see your dentist twice a year for regular cleanings and examinations to ensure the gum disease doesn’t come back.
Our team are happy to assist you with gum disease treatment in Donvale and throughout Melbourne. Early detection is the best way to stop gingivitis from progressing into periodontitis, so it is essential that you see your dentist right away for an exam. Reach out to us today to learn more about our gum disease treatment services in Donvale and to schedule your first appointment with one of our expert dentists.
