Gum Disease Treatment
Gum Disease Treatment Thornton
Gum disease treatment for gingivitis usually involves your dentist providing a thorough scale and clean to remove the plaque and calculus deposits.
Your Thornton, Maitland NSW dentist will also provide information on how best to look after your teeth at home to prevent future gum disease symptoms. For patients with periodontitis, a more extensive cleaning will be required.
This cleaning may need to be completed over several appointments and require local anaesthetic before the deep scaling and cleaning commence. After experiencing gum disease, you will always be vulnerable to recurrent gum disease, so visit your dentist regularly—every six months, unless they advise otherwise.
Gum Disease and Plaque
The most common cause of gum disease is plaque accumulation on teeth and in the gum line. Bacteria are found in the sticky layer known as plaque. The immune system launches an inflammatory reaction in an attempt to eradicate plaque. The swelling and red gum tissue surrounding the tooth indicate this.
Everybody’s mouth is home to a variety of microorganisms. Some bacteria constantly form plaque when they feed on the sugars in your foods and drinks. Gum disease-causing bacteria thrive in plaque, offering the ideal growth conditions.
Signs of Gum Disease
- Bleeding gums, especially when brushing or eating
- Redness and swelling of the gum
- Gum recession (retraction of the gum line from the tooth)
- Bad breath or taste in the mouth
- Tenderness when biting
- Loose teeth
Causes of Gum Disease
- Build-up of plaque
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Poor oral hygiene
- Defective fillings
- Misaligned teeth
Professional Treatments
Scaling and Root Planing (Deep Cleaning)
- Scaling: Eliminates tartar and plaque from the gum line and the surfaces of the teeth.
- Root Planing: Smoothes the root surfaces to encourage healing and stop additional bacterial colonisation.
Medicines
- Antibiotics: May be used to help control bacterial infection. They can be topical (gel, mouth rinse) or oral.
- Antimicrobial Mouthwashes: Chlorhexidine is often prescribed to reduce bacteria in the mouth.
Surgical Treatments
- Flap Surgery: Lifting the gums to remove tartar deposits in deep pockets, then suturing the gums back into place.
- Bone and Tissue Grafts: Used in cases where gum disease has caused significant bone loss. Bone grafts promote the regrowth of lost bone, while soft tissue grafts cover exposed roots and reduce gum recession.
- Guided Tissue Regeneration: Encourages regrowth of bone and gum tissue by placing a special membrane between the bone and gum tissue.
Prevention Steps
By eliminating the plaque that leads to gum disease, regular tooth brushing helps to avoid it.
- Brush teeth along the gum line twice daily, in the morning and before bed.
- Use a toothbrush with a small head and soft bristles.
- If you are over 18 months old, use fluoride toothpaste. Low fluoride is recommended for children aged 18 months to six years old, and standard fluoride is recommended for people six years and older.
- After brushing, spit out toothpaste, don’t swallow it, and don’t rinse it with water. This leaves a small amount of fluoride in the mouth to protect teeth.
- Eating well can also help prevent gum disease. Sugars provide the food for some types of mouth bacteria to multiply and form a plaque layer on the teeth and gums. A high-sugar diet can contribute to a thick layer of plaque. Avoiding sugary foods and drinks can help control plaque levels, especially between meals.
Gum Disease Treatment in Thornton
When gum disease symptoms appear, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. Conquer gum disease’s harmful effects with our comprehensive treatment at Thornton Dental. For additional information about how we treat gum disease, call us on (02) 4966 2996 to book your appointment!
Pay No Gap: No Gap for dental check-up, clean, fluoride & 2 x-rays (with any health insurance)
No Health Insurance: Only $145 ($95 for kids) for Check-up, Clean & Fluoride
Risks arise from every invasive or surgical operation. Before proceeding, you are advised to get a second opinion from a duly licensed medical practitioner.
Visit us at Thornton Shopping Centre, Shop 30/1 Taylor Ave in Thornton.
FAQs
What is gum disease?
An infection of the tissues encircling and supporting your teeth is known as gum disease or periodontal disease.
What are the signs of gum disease?
Common signs include red, swollen, bleeding gums, bad breath, and loose teeth.
How is gum disease treated?
Treatment ranges from professional cleanings and scaling to root planing and, in severe cases, surgery.
Can gum disease be cured?
Gum disease may not always be treated, mainly when it is more advanced. However, it can be controlled, and its progression can be stopped.
How can I prevent gum disease?
Maintaining good oral hygiene requires regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups and cleanings.
Is gum disease common?
Yes, gum disease is a common condition, especially in adults over 30.
Can gum disease affect overall health?
Yes, there is a connection between untreated gum disease and diabetes, heart disease, and other illnesses.