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What is Gum Disease?

Gum disease, or gingivitis, is the inflammation of your gums. This is when your gums appear red and swollen. A typical sign of gum disease is when they bleed easily from either flossing or brushing. Gum disease is caused by plaque (bacteria) on your teeth and beneath your gums. If the plaque is not removed, your gums will get inflamed.

How do I stop Gum Disease?

Gum disease treatment firstly includes maintaining good oral hygiene. This is done by regularly brushing well and flossing. It is important to note that even if you brush well, you will still miss up to 30% of the tooth surfaces. Flossing daily, to clean between your teeth, ensures that you remove the rest of the plaque.

Secondly, you will need to ensure that you stick your regular check and cleans at the dentist at least every 6 months (more frequently for patients with advanced gum disease). This is so that we can monitor the status of the gum disease but also to give your teeth and gums a good clean to prevent the hard plaque (tartar/calculus) from building up.

What about Advanced Gum Disease (Periodontitis)?

Advanced gum disease affects certain patients, particularly those who have a family history. Periodontitis is the loss of bone around your teeth and if left untreated, will lead to loose teeth and may eventually cause your teeth ‘fall out’. It is also the condition where patients get deep pockets around their teeth, further worsening the condition if food and plaque get stuck in there. Periodontitis, however, can be controlled with careful cleaning and regular visits to your dentist or gum specialist (Periodontist). It is important to note that smoking is major risk factor for periodontitis and in most cases, hides the condition as the nicotine in cigarettes stops the gums from bleeding. Diabetes is another major risk factor.

Signs and Symptoms of Gum Disease

In order of increasing severity:

• Bleeding gums, especially when brushing or flossing
• Swollen & sore gums
• Heavy plaque build-up around your gums
• Increased sensitivity
• Dark brown or black deposits around your gums
• Appearance of “longer teeth”
• Tooth movement (loose, mobile teeth)
• Teeth feel sore when chewing (although this could also indicate a cracked tooth)
• Teeth falling out from your mouth

Why is Gingivitis so bad?

Gum disease, and especially advanced gum disease, has been associated with an increased risk of serious conditions such as heart disease and respiratory infections. Occasionally, patients with gum disease will more than likely have bad breath from the gases that the bacteria produces deep in the pockets of inflammation.

Gum Disease Treatment options

The easiest gum disease treatment is a good professional dental clean, followed by an improvement in your oral hygiene. This means, a clean-up of all the plaque and calculus (tar tar) deposits around your teeth and good home maintenance of brushing and flossing daily. If you have periodontitis (however mild) – a gum chart is recommended, followed by a deep gum clean (debridement). Gum disease requires a life-long commitment to proper management, so it’s important that you continue to see your dentist for on-going care. A resurgence of gingivitis and periodontitis symptoms is common in patients who fail to adhere to the strict management regimes.

What are the possible complications for gum disease treatment?

Remember that it is your choice if you want to proceed with gum cleaning, and the alternative is of course not having one done.

There are various possible complications that can occur despite all efforts to the contrary as a result of gum cleaning which include but are not limited to:

• Increased sensitivity to hot, cold and sweet drinks or food.
• Increased recession of the gum tissue and exposure of root surfaces as the tissue heals and swelling decreases.
• Feeling of gaps between teeth where the guild-up used to be.

Deep clean (periodontal debridement) complications could also additionally include the following:

• A black triangle appearance and shadowing between the teeth where the dental papilla has been lost. This is irreversible, but if treatment is successful it can be masked.
• Post treatment is often followed with substantial pain and soreness in the gums and bony tissue which can last several days. This is to be expected and instructions will be given on how to control the pain and soreness. 
• There are occasions when profuse bleeding of the gums can follow after treatment. Some bruising or swelling of the intraoral and facial swelling may occur and may experience some gum discoloration.
• Postoperative infection may occur, which can range from mild to severe in nature.
• Surgical procedures may possibly result in injury to the nerves of the lips, tongue, or other oral tissues. Numbness could occur which may be either temporary or permanent.
• Temporary increases in tooth mobility.
• To prevent and help control periodontal disease we advise proper brushing technique, flossing or other interdental cleaning at home and maintaining regular periodontal cleaning and root planning.

Interested in Gingivitis Treatment?

Contact us now on (03) 8899 6331 or check out our other services here.

Need help with your dental payments?

We have a variety of Payment Plans available – giving you the flexibility of paying for your gum disease treatment later.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I cure Gingivitis?
  • Gingivitis is generally not curable, but is rather managed. See below.
• How to get rid of Gingivitis?
  • The easiest way to manage gum disease is a good professional dental clean, followed by an improvement in your oral hygiene.
• Should I floss or use an interdental brush?
  • Both flossing and interdental brush use are great ways of cleaning between your teeth. Your dentist should be able to tell you which one suits you best.
• Should I use mouthwash?
  • If you are maintaining a good oral care regime of regular brushing and flossing, there is no need for using Mouthwash. There are exceptions, which your dentist can discuss with you.