Gum Disease Treatment

Early stage gum disease - called gingivitis - can be reversed with deep and regular dentist cleans. Your dentist can help you manage gum disease in its three later stages - called slight, moderate and advanced periodontal disease. But unfortunately these stages cannot be completely reversed. Regular check-up and cleans are a great way to spot gum disease signs before it’s too late. 

Gum disease is an infection that attacks the gums. In its early stages, it causes light bleeding when you brush or floss, and possibly a bad taste in your mouth. During the later stages, teeth may feel loose, with visible gaps between the tooth and the gum. When gum disease reaches its final stages, there can be abscesses and pus. If you leave gum disease untreated, your teeth can fall out.

A build-up of plaque is a common cause of gum disease. Plaque is a sticky substance that collects on the tooth enamel and attracts bacteria. The bacteria then spread into the gums. In addition to plaque, other factors that can make you more prone to gum disease. Smoking, pregnancy, diabetes, and genetics can all play a role. That’s why it’s important to have regular check-up and clean visits. Your dentist can tell you if you have the early signs of gum disease and act before it's too late.

In its early stage, gingivitis, the main symptom of gum disease is light bleeding when brushing or flossing. You may not realise you have it at this stage, and simply think you’ve brushed too hard. There could be a strange taste in your mouth, or you might notice bad breath. You might also find that symptoms persist even after a professional clean.  

The symptoms of early, moderate or advanced periodontal disease - the later stages - are more serious. Gaps may appear between your gums and teeth, or your teeth may feel loose and change position. You may experience pain as abscesses form. If gum disease is left untreated, teeth will fall out. That’s why it’s important to treat it early. But the good news is, even if you have advanced gum disease, your dentist can give you a plan to manage it, or refer you to a specialist.