Gum Disease

Gum disease describes infection, swelling, or soreness of the tissues supporting the teeth. There’re two main forms of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontal disease.

Did you know?

Gum disease can be a signal of your general health. In fact, gum disease has been associated with health problems such as diabetes, heart disease and strokes. All the more reason to visit us regularly.
“80% of teeth are saved by good oral health care plus regular dental hygiene appointments”

What is gingivitis?

Gingivitis means irritation of the gums. This happens when the gums around the teeth become very red and swollen. Ofttimes the swollen gums bleed when they are brushed during cleaning.

What is periodontal disease?

Gingivitis after long period of time can turn into periodontal disease. There are various types of periodontal disease, all of which affect the tissues supporting the teeth. As the disease gets worse the bone securing the teeth in the jaw is lost, making the teeth loose. If this is left untreated, the teeth may eventually fall out. In fact, teeth are lost more through periodontal disease than through tooth decay.

Am I likely to suffer from gum disease?

Most people go through some form of gum disease, which is the major cause of tooth loss in adults. Still the disease develops very slowly in most people, plus it can be slowed down to a rate that may allow you to keep most of your teeth for life. This is only achievable if you have regular dental and hygiene appointments and you stick to a full oral health regime at home as instructed by your hygienist.

What is the cause of gum disease?

Plaque is the cause of all gum disease. Plaque is a film of bacteria which grows on the surface of the teeth and gums every day. Many of the bacteria in plaque are completely harmless although there are some that have been shown to be the main cause of gum disease. So you need to make sure you remove all the plaque from your teeth every day, to prevent and treat gum disease. This is done by brushing and flossing.