Preventative Gum Disease Treatment

Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is the inflammation of the tooth and surrounding gums and jawbones. It is caused by a build-up of plaque and calculus (tartar) on your teeth. This build-up causes the gums to become red, swollen, irritated and inflamed.
Symptoms include:

• Bleeding gums when you brush or floss
• Swollen, inflamed and red gums
• Development of gaps between your teeth
• Teeth that become more and more loose

How do you treat gum disease?

It is important to catch and treat gum disease in its early stages. There can often be no outward symptoms, so we recommend regular visits with us to assess your mouth for any initial stages of gum disease. It is recommended by all major Health Authorities such as Australian Dental Association that routine 6 monthly visits to your Dentist are necessary to prevent and control gum disease.

Gum disease and your heart health

Gum disease has been found to have strong links with heart disease. The bacteria that cause gum disease can enter the bloodstream through the inflamed gums and attach to fatty deposits in the blood vessels of the heart. This condition can cause blood clots, which can lead to a heart attack. Due to this link, it is strongly recommended that you maintain healthy gums to prevent any effects it may have on your overall health.

Gum Disease and Diabetes

There is now also a link between gum disease and diabetes which in the past has prompted Federal Government funding for major Dental works programs for Diabetics. Diabetes is a systemic condition that changes the inflammation response of the body. Normally when plaque constantly sits on the gums they become inflamed. This is how the body reacts to the plaque. However, in diabetics, the over-responsive immune system combined with delayed healing can result in a higher risk of gum disease. This is more prevalent when diabetes has been present for a long time or if not controlled well.

Gum Disease and Bad Breath

Gum disease can also be the cause of bad breath and tooth decay. Alongside this, it can be caused by a dry mouth due to dehydration or certain medications. Medications can reduce the amount of saliva that is produced by the mouth which is important for cleansing the bad bacteria that causes bad breath. There are some ways to manage a dry mouth including salivary substitute products we can discuss with you.