Gum Disease
Gum disease is an infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth. It begins when the bacteria in plaque builds up on your teeth, causing the gums to become inflamed.
With time, plaque can spread and grow below the gum-line. This causes the tissues and bone that support the teeth to eventually break down. Gums then separate from the teeth, forming pockets (spaces between the teeth and gums) that become infected.
As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed. Finally, teeth can become loose and may have to be removed.
Treatment
If you have gum disease, you need more extensive scaling to remove plaque and tartar from the pockets that have formed. Deep cleaning is required in order to do this properly.
Prevention
Gum disease is preventable. Preventing gum disease (from starting or returning after deep cleaning) involves controlling the amount of plaque and tartar that builds up on your teeth.
Twice yearly schedule an appointment with the dentist or hygienist (we will send you a reminder). Proper cleaning prevents the gums receding. We try to be as gentle as possible but it can sometimes be sensitive getting your teeth cleaned thoroughly (especially if the gums have started to recede leaving sensitive roots exposed). You can ask to be ‘numbed’ with local anaesthetic if they are very sensitive.
