Gum Disease And Tooth Loss

Ignoring early signs of gum disease could result in losing teeth

It has long been instilled in us by our parents that it is important that we brush our teeth. This is good basic advice and although taking good care of our teeth is a little more sophisticated than that, it is a great start.

It is only more recently though that good gum health has been widely recognised as equally important and it is a message that we hope parents will take on board when supervising their children whilst they clean their teeth.

The fact is that whilst brushing our teeth is important to stop tooth decay and the often painful toothache that sometimes goes with it, gum disease is equally serious. We will look at some possible symptoms shortly but it is worth noting that symptoms can be minor or barely noticeable at all in some cases, which is why it is important that you see our Canterbury dental hygienist to make sure that your gums stay in good health.

What causes gum disease?

Gum disease is largely caused by potentially harmful bacteria in our mouth getting out of control. In a healthy mouth, we flush much of this away with saliva, but sometimes our mouths are dry; often in older people and those who smoke or drink alcohol. This creates a problem in that it allows the number of bacteria to grow rapidly. These then attack the soft tissue of the gums and we may notice some of the symptoms starting to appear.

As the problem advances, some of the bacteria combine with minerals in our saliva which then form a hard ‘crust’ on the teeth and around the gum line. This is known as tartar or calculus and forms a rough surface which then attracts yet more bacteria. Before too long, the problem starts to get out of control.

The two main stages of gum disease

In the early stages of gum disease, this is called gingivitis and it is often reversible, either through better home care and/or a professional dental clean. This stage of gum disease is usually manageable in the long term. A bigger problem that we see at Bradley and Partners Dental and Implant Clinic is periodontitis. This is the advanced stage of gum disease and is more difficult to treat. During this stage, it is not only the gums which become infected but the roots of the tooth and often the surrounding bone too. When it reaches this stage, it can damage the bone that secures the tooth in position, sometimes resulting in loose teeth or even tooth loss.

Symptoms

There are many symptoms associated with gum disease. Some of these, such as the bleeding of gums when brushing are probably fairly well known now thanks to the promotion of gum disease toothpastes which are often advertised on TV. This is not the only symptom that can occur though and sufferers may well find that their gums become inflamed and sore, making it uncomfortable to eat.

One of the more unpleasant side effects of gum disease is the odour caused as the bacteria expel gases. This can result in very bad breath, also known as halitosis. As few people will be so blunt as to tell you that your breath smells, and it is difficult to detect yourself, this is an unpleasant symptom that can go unnoticed by you for a long time and is yet another reason to have your teeth professionally cleaned on a regular basis at our Canterbury dental clinic.

Treating gingivitis and periodontitis

Treatment for gum disease can be relatively straightforward or highly complex depending on the stage it is at. We will take a look at these individually.

Gingivitis (early stage)

At this stage, the solution is to see a dental hygienist. They can examine your gums and have a discussion with you about how to improve the way that you look after them. Depending on the degree of the problem at this stage, you may simply be requested to improve your oral health care, for example, adding flossing to your routine. Where the problem is mild, this might be sufficient to reverse it. In most cases though, you will also receive a ‘scale and polish’, a non-invasive treatment that thoroughly cleans your teeth and the gum line.

Periodontitis (advanced gum disease)

At this stage, the problem is more serious and treatment is beyond what a hygienist can provide alone. To treat gum disease at this stage it is necessary to perform a more invasive treatment known as a ‘deep clean’ or root planing. This is carried out by a specially qualified dentist and involves the accessing of the root tip of the tooth and surrounding bone tissue to remove any bacteria. Although it can save a tooth from becoming loose and falling out, it is not always successful. It is far better to make sure that the problem doesn’t reach this stage by seeing the hygienist regularly.

Looking after your gums is as important as looking after your teeth, and with links between gum disease and a number of serious health issues becoming stronger as research continues, taking care to keep your gums healthy could have a positive effect on your general health too.

If you don’t already see the hygienist and would like to make an appointment to do so, please call Bradley and Partners Dental and Implant Clinic on 01227 463529.