Gum Disease

Prevention is better than cure

Our Hygienists are highly skilled in recognising the early stages of this disease, and regular visits to them will go a long way in preventing this condition from ever developing.

Signs and symptoms

Recognising the signs and symptoms of early gum disease is key to preventing the condition from deteriorating to the more severe condition known as Periodontal Disease.

Signs to look out for are:

• Red gums instead of a healthy pink colour.
• Any traces of blood when you brush or floss. Like any part of your body, healthy gums should not bleed.
• White or yellow plaque deposits seen around gum lines where they meet the tooth surface.
• Tooth sensitivity where the gum line on the tooth surface has started to recede.

These symptoms are significant and shouldn’t be ignored. If you have any of the symptoms listed you should contact us as soon as possible!

There are two main types of gum disease

Gingivitis
The main cause of gum disease is poor oral hygiene. When brushing and flossing techniques are not carried out effectively, this allows plaque to build along the gum line. This results in infection and inflammation of your gums. The condition is known as Gingivitis and nearly all adults suffer from this to some degree. Bleeding when brushing or flossing your teeth is one of the earliest signs of Gingivitis.

Periodontal disease
Left untreated, gum disease may progress to a more severe condition known as Periodontal Disease. This is the primary cause of tooth loss in adults. Here the bacterial infection progresses to the deeper supporting tissues of the teeth known as the periodontal tissues which include the bone. As the disease progresses, the bone supporting the teeth is lost. The teeth become loosened, abscesses can form and teeth may eventually be lost.

Smoking and oral health

Patients who smoke are far more likely to suffer with more severe gum problems. Smoking causes a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream. This has an adverse effect on the healing process, so infections in the gums are slow to heal.