Dental Conditions

Gum Disease

Gingivitis and periodontitis are the most common types of gum disease. About every 3 in 10 adults have moderate to severe periodontitis or gingivitis. More than half those people do not know they have the disease as symptoms do not show until the infection is more severe.

Gum Disease & Heart Failure, Pneumonia, Stroke

3 in 10 Adults have Gum Disease

Periodontitis is more concerning as it results in permanent loss of the bone and gums around your tooth. It can increase the risk of heart failure, pneumonia, stroke and diabetes as well.

What is Gingivitis?

Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums only. The gums swell and bleed easily as our immune cells gather to fight the infection.

Some medications can make the gums grow too much and will make this condition more difficult to manage.

What is Periodontitis?

This irreversible (and often chronic) condition is inflammation of the bone and periodontal ligaments that hold our teeth in our jaw. Ligaments are like small ropes that hold our tooth in our jaw. The bone keeps our teeth from falling over like a tree needs soil to stay in the ground. Over time the tooth root is exposed and the tooth becomes loose.

Loose teeth and receding gums are not a normal part of ageing
This is a disease and should be treated as soon as possible
Our experienced clinicians can help you stop your gums and bone
from dissolving further

What causes Gingivitis and Periodontitis?

The most common cause is when anaerobic bacteria (bad bacteria) in plaque and calculus (tartar) are not removed quickly enough. The longer they live, the more abundant they grow and the more damage they cause to the gums and jaw bone.

The individuals' immune system and how it responds to the bacteria can also make a difference, as not everybody with gingivitis will have periodontitis in the future.

More complex medications or medical history such as diabetes increases the risk of these diseases. Sometimes when gum disease is found with no other obvious causes, it may indicate an underlying medical condition that has not been diagnosed yet.

Habits such as smoking and snacking frequently on sugary foods can accelerate the disease by encouraging the growth of harmful bacteria and weakening the immune system.

Common Signs and Symptoms

Gum disease can be present without any symptoms or pain. Regular appointments with a dental clinician is the best way to check for any signs of gum disease and address them sooner.

Swollen, Flappy Gums

Gums can look puffy or like they are growing over and around the teeth or may pull away easily

Yellow Pus

For more severe cases, a yellow sticky liquid can come from the infection area

Bad Breath

Plaque and bacteria can emit a foul smell that can linger for days or months

Gums Receding

Gaps between teeth are bigger. The teeth will look longer over time

Aching when Eating

Aching pain can occur from the loss of attachment of the teeth to gums and bone as well as the pressure caused by swelling in the area

Bleeding

Is not normal and is a sign the gums are distressed. This can happen when eating, brushing or overnight

Sensitivity

To hot, cold or sweet food and drink. Comes and goes as the disease gets worse

Loose (mobile) Adult Teeth

When the bone and gum around the tooth disappears they no longer have a strong support to keep them in place and can end up moving easily

At 7 Day Dentists we can determine the reason why the gums are presenting with these conditions and help find the solution that is most beneficial for your situation.

How do we achieve healthy and stable gums?

For Gingivitis

Usually a good clean with our dental providers to remove plaque will help control the infection. Maintaining low levels of plaque at home will stop the plaque from forming again.

For Periodontitis

A deep clean is needed to remove the irritating plaque and calculus (calcified plaque) from under the gums so they can heal and reattach to the tooth. Usually more than one appointment is needed to complete this procedure. Before starting treatment we will take an OPG (full mouth x-ray) and record the severity of the gum disease around every single tooth. This is so we can accurately review the success of healing every few months.

X-rays are essential for accurate diagnosis

Antibiotics are only helpful for some cases

Antibiotics are usually not required unless the infection is very extensive. It is best to talk to your dental provider to know whether they are appropriate for your type of infection.

Prevention

If we can keep the plaque and bacteria under control every day then there is a better chance for the gums and bone to heal as well as prevent the disease from happening again.

Brush correctly twice a day and clean between teeth at least once daily. Limit how much and how often we consume sugary and acidic foods to slow down the the potential for plaque growth. Drinking water after every meal and snack to wash away the sugar and food debris will help too.

Keep plaque away with good brushing, interdental cleaning and drinking water