What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is inflammation and infection of the tissues that support your teeth. It can begin with mild redness, swelling or bleeding gums and, if it progresses, can eventually affect the bone that supports your teeth.
The tricky part is that gum disease isn’t always painful. You can have it without realizing anything is wrong, which is one reason regular dental exams and hygiene appointments are important.
What Causes Gum Disease?
Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that naturally builds up on your teeth throughout the day. Regular brushing and cleaning between your teeth helps remove it.
When plaque is left behind, it can harden into tartar, which can't be removed with regular brushing or flossing. The buildup of plaque and tartar around the gumline can irritate the gums and cause inflammation.
This early stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. Gingivitis can cause red, swollen or bleeding gums and is usually reversible with good home home care and professional dental cleanings.
If gum disease progresses and begins to damage the bone and tissues that support the teeth, it is called periodontitis. Periodontitis is more serious and requires ongoing treatment and care to prevent further damage.
Signs of Gum Disease
Watch for:
- gums that bleed when brushing or flossing
- red, swollen or tender gums
- persistent bad breath
- gums pulling away from the teeth or teeth looking longer
- sensitivity around the gumline
- changes in the spaces between your teeth
- loose or shifting teeth
And importantly, you can have gum disease without obvious symptoms.
How do we Check for Gum Disease?
At your dental visit, we look at the health of your gums and measure the spaces around your teeth. We may also use dental X-rays to look at the bone supporting your teeth.
These findings help us determine whether your gums are healthy, whether you have gingivitis, or whether there are signs of periodontitis.
How is Gum Disease Treated?
Treatment depends on how advanced the gum disease is.
For gingivitis, improving brushing and cleaning between the teeth along with professional dental cleanings may be enough to return the gums to health.
Periodontitis may require more thorough cleaning below the gumline and more frequent hygiene appointments. More advanced cases may be referred to a periodontist, a dentist who specializes in treating gum disease.
Your dental hygienist can also help you find an at-home routine that works for you, whether that’s traditional floss, interdental brushes or another method of cleaning between your teeth.
Bleeding Gums? Don’t Ignore Them.
Occasional irritation can happen, but gums that regularly bleed when you brush or floss are worth checking out. Why Do My Gums Bleed When I Brush or Floss? explains some of the common causes.
If you’re concerned about your gums, contact Metral Dental in Nanaimo to book an appointment. We can assess what’s going on and help you figure out the next step.
