Have you noticed bleeding when you brush or floss? Maybe your gums look red and swollen. It’s easy to ignore these problems, but did you know they could be early signs of gum disease?
The good news is gum disease is treatable. At Munno Para Dental Clinic, we’ve helped many patients in Smithfield and across SA catch gum issues early and save their teeth with the right treatment.
Let’s take a good look at how you can keep your gums happy and healthy.
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is an infection of the gums supporting your teeth. It starts with plaque, which is a sticky film made up of bacteria. If not removed by brushing and flossing, plaque hardens into tartar and causes inflammation.
When left untreated, it can lead to receding gums, tooth loss, and even bone damage. In Australia, 3 in every 10 adults have moderate to severe gum disease (periodontitis). That’s concerning, and the worst part is that most people don’t know they’ve gum disease.
Early Signs of Gum Disease
Although gum disease is curable, the sooner you start the treatment, the better. This means you’ll need to watch out for the early signs of gum disease.
Let’s check the most common things to look for:
- Bleeding Gums: If your gums bleed during brushing or flossing, it’s a red flag. Healthy gums don’t bleed, not by “just brushing too hard.”
- Red or Swollen Gums: Inflamed, puffy gums are one of the most obvious signs of gum disease. They may also feel tender when touched.
- Bad Breath That Won’t Go Away: If you’ve chronic bad breath, even after brushing or mouthwash, it could mean bacteria are hiding under your gum line.
- Gum Recession: Gums pulling away from your teeth? That’s a sign the disease is advancing. Your teeth might look longer than usual.
- Tooth Sensitivity or Wiggling Teeth: When your gums loosen, your teeth lose support. If your teeth shift or feel sensitive to hot and cold (not just during the cooler months), you should have your gums checked.
Why Early Gum Disease Treatment Is So Important
As mentioned, the earlier you act, the easier the fix. Gum disease treatment is usually simple and more effective in the early stages. It typically involves better brushing, flossing, and maybe a scale and clean. But if you ignore it, the early disease can turn into periodontitis, where your teeth may loosen or even fall out.
Here’s what early treatment can prevent:
- Painful gum infections.
- Tooth loss.
- Expensive surgeries.
- Bone damage.
- Links to serious health issues like diabetes and heart disease.
What Does Gum Disease Treatment Include?
If you see any of the signs, you should go see a gum disease dentist immediately. Early-stage gum disease treatment is usually quick, painless, and makes a huge difference. You don’t need surgery or anything complicated if you catch it early.
- Professional Cleaning: The first step is a proper cleaning at your gum disease dentist. They’ll remove plaque and tartar that your toothbrush can’t. This clean goes deep, especially around the gumline, where the damage starts.
- Improved Oral Hygiene Routine: After that, it’s about improving your daily habits. Your dentist will show you the right way to brush and floss. You might be told to use interdental brushes or a water flosser if your gums are already inflamed or hard to reach.
- Medicated Rinses or Gels: Sometimes, you’ll also get a medicated mouthwash or gel to reduce bacteria and inflammation. These are easy to use and help your gums heal faster.
- Root Planing: If things are a bit more advanced, you may need a deeper clean below the gumline. That’s called root planing. But again, gum disease is still manageable at this stage if you don’t ignore it for too long.
The sooner you start gum disease treatment, the better your chances of keeping your gums and your teeth healthy.
Is It Possible to Prevent Gum Disease
In most cases, you can reduce the risk of gum disease with a few easy daily habits:
- Brush twice a day. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Focus on the gumline to remove plaque before it hardens.
- Floss once daily. Your toothbrush can’t reach between your teeth. Flossing clears out food and plaque where bacteria like to hide.
- Rinse with mouthwash. Use an alcohol-free, antibacterial mouthwash to kill bacteria and keep your gums fresh and clean.
- Keep a healthy diet. Limit sugary snacks and drinks. Choose foods rich in vitamin C, like leafy greens, citrus, and capsicum.
- Drink more water. Water helps wash away food particles and keeps your mouth hydrated, which supports saliva production and gum protection.
- Avoid smoking. Smoking weakens your immune system and damages gum tissue, making it harder for your gums to heal.
- See your dentist regularly. Book a check-up and clean every six months. Dentists can spot early signs of gum disease and stop it before it gets worse.
Final Thoughts
Gum disease can sneak up on you. But if you watch out for early signs, you can catch it and get it treated easily. If you’ve noticed bleeding gums, sensitivity, swelling, redness, and gum recession, you should consult a gum disease dentist as soon as possible.
Our friendly team at Munno Para Dental Clinic is here to help you recover from gum disease. We’ll check and clean your gums and walk you through the treatment depending on how far advanced it is.
Call (08) 8284 0777 or contact us online to schedule the appointment.
