Gum disease is caused by bacteria. It is a common complaint that affects most people at some point in their life. There are two types of gum disease:
Gingivitis is gum disease in its early stage. This is when your gums are swollen and bleed when you brush them. The good news is that gum disease when identified early and treated early on, can reverse the effects of gingivitis and restore your gums to a healthy condition. The bad news is that unless gingivitis is treated quickly, it can develop into a more serious condition, known as periodontal disease (gum disease at the final stage).
Gum disease is caused by bacteria that thrive in the warm, moist conditions of your mouth. Not all bacteria are harmful, only that which is contained in plaque – the sticky substance that forms on your teeth and around your gum line. Regular brushing and flossing help remove this and keep the level of bacteria in your mouth under control. However, when your oral hygiene lapses, the plaque can accumulate and harden, turning into tartar that can’t be removed by brushing. This gives a green light for bacteria to enter your gums, attacking them and causing infection.
Besides having poor oral hygiene, a number of other factors can increase your chances of developing gum problems. These include:
The most effective method of treating gum disease is to remove all traces of plaque and tartar. Once we’ve done this, it’s up to you to care for your teeth and gums properly at home with daily brushing and flossing. Don’t worry – the dentist can show you the correct way to clean your teeth and gums so that you can avoid another plaque build up, and a recurrence of gingivitis.
At Supreme Dental near Lynbrook, we always urge patients to not delay timely treatment. While gingivitis can be easily cured, choosing to ignore it can have serious consequences. Unfortunately, you may not realise your gingivitis has developed into periodontal disease until you start to feel pain – by which time it’s too late. What’s more, periodontal disease doesn’t just affect your gums. Bacteria can invade your bloodstream and cause infections in different parts of your body. This is why it’s so important to visit your dentist for regular check-ups.
Periodontitis is an advanced form of gum disease that occurs when gingivitis is left untreated. It can cause your gums to weaken and start to detach from your teeth. This causes empty pockets which fill with harmful bacteria, causing deeper infections that can reach the bone, and eventually cause teeth to loosen and fall out.
Apart from red, swollen, and receding gums, you may experience:
Periodontal gum disease treatment may require one or more dental visits to our near Lynbrook clinic, and involves scaling and planing to remove plaque and tartar. Tooth roots will also be made smoother to prevent bacteria from forming on them again. After this procedure, the gums should heal themselves and tighten around your teeth. After a few weeks, your near Lynbrook dentist will assess the situation to see if any further action (periodontal surgeries) is required.
We recommend that you review your daily dental routine, eat a nutritious diet, and schedule regular dental check-ups to ensure a healthy smile for life.
If you’re suffering from sore gums or you’ve got a bad taste in your mouth, then make an appointment with your near Lynbrook dentist. We’ll be able to diagnose and follow up with gum disease treatment if needed, at our conveniently located near Lynbrook clinic. Call us today on (03) 5995 3819 and kick start your journey towards a healthy, happy smile.
We accept all major health insurance with our HICAPS facility and are proud to be a preferred provider for Medibank, NIB, HCF'
We accept all insurance and we are preferred providers of Medibank Private, HCF, NIB.
Along with insurance, we accept Cash, Credit Cards (Amex not accepted) & Dental Health Insurance Cards. We also accept and process vouchers under their Medicare Card (Children Dental Benefit Scheme), Department of Veteran Affairs Cards and Victorian Emergency & Victorian General Dental Scheme managed by the Monash Health (Dental Services).
Supreme Dental Cranbourne is conveniently located at 1 Scarborough Avenue, Cranbourne West and we have car park directly inside the business premises compound.
Monday – Friday : 9:00 am – 7:00 pm Saturday : 9:00 am – 1:00 pm Sunday – Closed
