We tend to ignore them event though they are the gatekeepers to our body. And not thinking about our gums can be unfortunate because over 20% of people in Australia have at least moderate gum disease according to the Australian Department of Health.
Gums are not just necessary to hold teeth in place, in fact healthy gums and teeth are necessary for a healthy body. Which is why we here at Simply Smiles Dental in Toorak want to help protect you from gum disease!
What Is Gum (Periodontal) Disease?
Gingivitis is caused by the presence of bacteria in the mouth and places for the bacteria to build up and stay. This buildup causes inflammation and irritation, triggering an immune response by the body. The mildest form of gum (periodontal) disease is called gingivitis. The good news is that gingivitis is extremely treatable and usually reversible. If gingivitis is allowed to remain, however, it can develop into periodontitis, which is much more serious.
Periodontitis means “inflammation around the tooth” – it is a serious gum disease that damages the soft tissue and bone that supports the tooth. With periodontitis, the bone around the teeth is slowly and progressively lost, with a concurrent loosening of teeth. In some cases, teeth are lost or must be extracted.
What Are Symptoms Of Gum Disease?
The early symptoms of gum disease are subtle and sufferers may not experience pain or may have very minor symptoms that are easily ignored. Some of the more obvious symptoms include:
- Persistent bad breath
- Red, swollen, or tender gums
- Sensitive teeth
- Painful chewing
- Receding gums or longer appearing teeth
- Loose teeth”
- Lost teeth
Untreated gum disease can result in lost teeth and worse. Gum disease can affect the entire body.
Gum disease can affect the entire body, as two examples can demonstrate.
Lungs & Respiratory System – A study in 2011 found a relationship between the presence of periodontal disease and respiratory illnesses including pneumonia, COPD and acute bronchitis.
Fertility & Pregnancy – Women who have active gum disease take, on average, two to three months longer to conceive than women who do not have gum disease.
So keep those gums healthy!
Preventing and Treating Gum Disease
“The secret to getting ahead is getting started.”
Mark Twain
There are three simple steps to help control gingivitis.
- Brush your teeth every day to remove bacteria from the surfaces of your teeth.
- Floss each day in order to remove the bacteria from between your teeth and around the gum line.
- Regular dental checkups and cleanings help to remove any plaque, build-up) and bacteria that brushing and flossing can’t.
If serious periodontal issues settle in, your dentist may have to perform deep cleaning, use medication, perform curettage (scraping and removing) of the gums, or even resort to surgery to save bone, teeth, and gums.
No one wants to have surgery or other expensive treatment, so it is best to work with your Toorak dentist to prevent damage before it happens.
Advanced Treatment for Gum Disease at Simply Smiles Dental
At Simply Smiles Dental, we aim to give you the smile of your dreams from the gums, up and down! We offer comprehensive gum disease treatment in Toorak to restore the health and appearance of your gums.
Our office is in Toorak Village and serves patients from Toorak, South Yarra, Prahran, Windsor, Southbank, South Melbourne, Port Melbourne, Malvern, Albert Park, Melbourne CBD, and other metro areas.
We are a Medibank and HCF Members Choice Dentist as well as an HCF Members Choice Dentist.
Our Special Offers
At Simply Smiles Dental in Toorak, our goal is to make quality dental care affordable. We encourage you to take advantage of our latest offers.
To find out more, visit our special offers page or contact us now on (03) 9826 2220 or make an appointment online.
