Overcome Gum Disease with Periodontal Disease Treatment
Tender gums? Bleeding gums, especially when brushing? Gum or periodontal disease could be the culprit. Start your journey to optimal oral health with gum disease treatment in Flinders, Victoria. Flinders Dental Practice provides conservative treatments to overcome gum disease.
Do you suspect gum disease? Schedule an appointment today with us. Your healthy gums await!
What causes gum disease?
The main culprit behind gum disease is dental plaque—a sticky, colourless film of bacteria that builds up due to poor oral hygiene. If plaque isn’t removed, it hardens into tartar, which only a dentist can remove. The bacteria in plaque release toxins that irritate your gums, leading to inflammation and infection.
The other triggers of gum disease include:
- Hormonal changes
- Poor genetic predispositions
- Tobacco use
- Stress or depression
- Underlying health conditions like heart disease or diabetes
- Chronic teeth grinding (bruxism)
What happens if I ignore gum disease?
Treating gum disease early is essential to prevent larger issues later. When gum disease starts, it’s usually mild—you’ll notice gum redness, swelling, or bleeding when you brush. At that stage, it’s called gingivitis, and it’s reversible with proper care.
But if you ignore it, gingivitis can turn into periodontitis, which is bad news for your oral health. That’s when the gums start pulling away from your teeth, creating pockets where bacteria can thrive. Left untreated, it can lead to bone loss, loose teeth, or even tooth loss. And here’s the thing—periodontitis isn’t just about your oral health. Research has linked uncontrolled oral infections to heart disease, diabetes, respiratory problems, and other systemic issues!
How is gum disease treated?
We use a conservative approach to treat gum disease. Gingivitis is the only reversible stage of gum disease. The dentist treats gingivitis with standard cleanings and a strict oral hygiene regimen. Although gingivitis doesn’t cause pain, its effective treatment ensures it doesn’t progress.
If you have moderate to severe periodontal disease, the dentist may recommend deep teeth cleaning. This non-surgical treatment involves scaling to remove plaque and tartar deposits between teeth and from the deep periodontal pockets. After scaling, the dentist smoothes your roots to encourage your gums to reattach to your teeth.
Rarely does gum disease require surgery. However, when you don’t respond to non-surgical treatments, you may need gum flap surgery and grafting techniques to restore your gum health. Our dental team will guide you until you achieve optimal oral health.
How can I prevent gum disease?
Although we offer effective periodontal treatments, we’d rather prevent it altogether. Maintain healthy gums by observing the following healthy tips.
- Use fluoride toothpaste to brush your teeth at least twice daily
- Floss your teeth at least once daily
- Eat a well-balanced diet and limit the intake of sugary foods
- Visit your dentist every six months for routine screenings and cleanings
- Quit tobacco use
- Manage stress, diabetes, and other immune-suppressing diseases
Do you need gum disease treatment near Flinders?
Are your gums tender, swollen, or bleeding? Don’t ignore these early warning signs of periodontal disease. Beat gum disease today! Call (03) 5989-1129 and book your appointment with Flinders Dental Practice. Your journey to better oral health starts with one simple call!
