Gum disease – everything you need to know

What is gum disease?

Gum disease is described as swelling, soreness or infection of the gums. Many people suffer from some form of gum disease in their lifetime and it is one of the main causes of tooth loss!

There are two main forms of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontal disease:

Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums. This is when the gums around the teeth become very red and swollen and will often bleed when brushed.

Periodontal disease is when long-standing gingivitis is left untreated. As the disease gets worse, the bone anchoring the teeth in the jaw is lost, making the teeth loose. If this is not treated, the teeth may eventually fall out.

What causes gum disease?

Gum disease is caused by a build-up of plaque (sticky film that contains bacteria) on the teeth. If the plaque is not removed, it builds up and irritates the gums, which leads to gum disease. Other risk factors are diabetes, family history of gum disease, smoking, pregnancy and menopause etc.

Symptoms of gum disease

You may notice some bleeding on your toothbrush or in the sink when you spit out after brushing, your gums may also bleed when eating and you may also suffer from bad breath. However, many people are often unaware they have gum disease, as it isn’t painful and doesn’t affect daily life, but if left untreated the impact can be serious, damaging the jawbone and the tissue that support the teeth.

How can we at CGDP help?

If you think you have gum disease, book an appointment with us and we will assess your oral health and check for any signs of gingivitis or periodontal disease and the cause of it.

If you have deteriorating gum problems or periodontitis, one of our dentists may refer you to our in-house periodontist, Dr Tay. She is an experienced expert in the field and will advise you accordingly on what the best treatment is depending on your case. Some treatments may include deep cleaning under the gums (non-surgical periodontal therapy), gum and bone surgery (surgical treatment), reduction of gum recession, implants to help replace missing teeth that have been lost due to gum disease and improving your smile after the treatment of gum disease. Read more about Dr Tay and her work on her CGDP ‘about us’ page.