When it comes to oral health, your gums matter just as much as your teeth do! Gum disease affects everyone, even if you have the whitest teeth and no cavities. What’s worse is that gum disease is painless, so you might not know you have it before it’s too late.
In this article, the Sydney dentists at Marsfield Dental Care explain what gum disease is, how to improve gum disease, how to fix receding gums, and how to strengthen gums naturally.
Gum disease emerges when plaque builds up under and along the gum line. The plaque may eventually lead to gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease. With gingivitis, your gums become:
The next stage of gum disease, periodontitis, occurs when bacteria attack the bones that hold your teeth in place. Symptoms of periodontitis include:
Gum disease poses a substantial risk to your oral health. Healthy gums provide a seal around your teeth and tightly connect to your jawbone. They act as a barrier between bacteria and the nerves of your teeth. As gums recede, bacteria can penetrate the teeth and gums, causing tooth decay and bone loss.
If you have gingivitis, you can still take measures to reverse your gum disease before it persists, both surgically and at home. However, once it progresses to periodontitis, you will most likely need surgical intervention to save your teeth.
The treatment for gingivitis involves a gum graft or soft tissue graft. During this procedure, your periodontist takes donor tissue from the roof of your mouth and grafts it onto the gum line where the tissue has receded. Periodontitis usually requires a bone graft, which is much more invasive.
Your oral hygiene routine also plays a role in stopping the progression of receding gums and preventing the bacteria that cause gum disease. Here are a few suggestions:
In addition to taking care of your smile at home, having regular dental appointments is the next best thing you can do to prevent or reverse gum disease. Every six months during your check-up, your dentist will examine your gums for the slightest signs of recession. It’s much easier to stop gum recession before it turns into gingivitis!
Schedule your check-up today with the leading dentist in Sydney, Marsfield Dental Care. Call us on 02 9887 1961 or click the button below.
"The information in this website may be simplified in nature and does not replace professional advice. Risks and consequences may apply to any treatment. Always seek a second opinion when considering complex treatment. A referral to a specialist may be required in certain situations. Quotations can only be given after proper clinical assessment and so pricing details cannot be given over the phone."
COVID 19 Update - Oct 2021
All our members of staff - Dentists and supporting assistants - are fully vaccinated. We are a COVID-safe practice and we are open for all general dental treatment needs and services.
