Gum Disease: What You Need To Know

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Gum Disease: What You Need To Know

Our teeth and gums have to endure a lot throughout our lives and in order to maintain healthy teeth and gums, regular oral examinations are required. Gum disease can affect people of every age and the prime cause is poor oral hygiene. Here are the symptoms, causes and recommended treatment to know about gum disease.

Symptoms of Gum Disease

The medical term for gum disease is periodontitis and this condition can eventually lead to gum tissue loss and even losing teeth. Symptoms include:

  • Swollen and inflamed gums
  • Red or purple coloured gum tissue
  • Tender and painful to the touch
  • Bad breath
  • Losing blood while brushing your teeth
  • Pain when chewing
  • Loss of teeth
  • Change of bite pattern

If you notice any of the above, you are advised to make an appointment with a dentist who can examine you and make an accurate diagnosis. Treatment can then be prescribed, and the condition will be brought under control before too much damage is caused.

Causes of Gum Disease

More often than not, gum disease begins with the discovery of plaque, which is a sticky substance that is made up primarily of bacteria and this can lead to the following:

  • Plaque causes tooth decay, which eats away at the tooth enamel.
  • Tartar (hardened plaque) can form on the teeth after a period of time and this substance is very hard and cannot be removed by brushing.
  • Plaque causes gingivitis, which is a milder form of gum disease that can be effectively treated if addressed at the early stages.
  • Ongoing gum disease can cause serious oral problems and if not treated, it could lead to loss of teeth, as the gums become decayed.

Treatment for Gum Disease

If you think you are suffering with gum disease, make an appointment with a Brisbane dentist or at a dentist near you as soon as is practically possible. Time is of the essence regarding gum disease. Once the dentist has carried out an oral examination, he or she can prepare a treatment plan and if you were to ask a dentist about preventative care regarding gum disease, the professional would recommend best oral hygiene practices and that should ensure that you do not suffer with gum disease.

The Importance of Good Oral Hygiene


It is critical that you brush and floss after every meal and before and after sleep. Plus, you should use antiseptic mouthwash during the day after drinking coffee and consuming snacks, as this helps to prevent plaque building up on your teeth and gums. 

If you are one of the people who only see their dentist when they experience dental issues, this is something that needs to change. It is recommended that you have dental check-ups every 6 months; and should there be any issues, the dentist is able to carry out prompt and effective treatment before too much damage is caused.

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