Dental Implants and Aesthetics has a periodontist who specialises in the treatment of periodontal disease, or gum disease as it is more colloquially known as. As well as clear aligners, dental bridges, crowns for broken teeth and veneers, we focus on full mouth reconstruction for decayed teeth and diseased gums. If you are suffering from signs of gum damage and seek gum disease treatment, book an appointment with your local qualified dentist immediately to talk through your individual needs and treatment options. Here are some signs of gum disease, so you can notice it early on, the causes of gum disease and the treatments that we offer here at Dental Implants and Aesthetics, here in Southport, Queensland.

WHAT IS PERIODONTAL DISEASE?

Periodontitis is a serious gum infection that causes damage to the soft tissue of your gums and without treatment, it can destroy the jaw and inner bones that support your teeth. Periodontitis can cause teeth to loosen as well, or lead to tooth loss. It is important to take as much care of your gums as you do your teeth, as proper oral hygiene includes the gums as well and gum disease treatment can be avoided. Periodontitis is common but largely preventable with the right hygiene routines and regular dental visits. This includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing daily and getting regular dental check-ups.

THE CAUSES OF GUM DISEASE

When it comes down to it, the cause of gum disease is the build up of plaque. When this goes untreated, this is how it can develop into periodontal disease:

• Plaque forms on your teeth due to starch and sugars in food. This interacts with the bacteria that is normally found in your mouth. Brushing your teeth gets rid of plaque, but it re-forms quickly, which is why dentists recommend regular brushing as well as flossing and mouth wash.
• Plaque hardens under your gumline and turns into calculus, or tartar. Tartar is more difficult to remove and is filled with bacteria. The longer plaque and tartar remain on your teeth, the more damage they can do. Once plaque turns into tartar, you need a professional dentist to clean it.
• Plaque causes gingivitis, which is the mildest form of gum disease. Gingivitis is irritation and inflammation of the part of your gum tissue around the base of your teeth.
• Ongoing gum inflammation can then turn into periodontitis, eventually causing pockets to develop between your gums and your teeth which fill with plaque, tartar and bacteria. If not treated, these deep infections cause a loss of tissue and bone and ultimately you may lose one or more teeth due to this.
• In the worst cases, untreated periodontal disease can cause problems for your immunity, inflammation and may cause problems like heart disease.

GUM DISEASE TREATMENT OPTIONS

Gum disease treatment is available here at Dental Implants and Aesthetics and we are dedicated to each and every one of our patients. We will review your medical and dental history to determine the best approach for treatment. This includes identifying what medical conditions may be suffering from and how well they are controlled, your oral hygiene routine and smoking habits. The initial discussion about your dental and medical history is followed by a thorough clinical examination of your mouth to identify whether you have gum disease and what the severity is. Once the necessary clinical information has been collected, your periodontist will discuss your diagnosis and treatment options with you. Advanced cleaning protocols and surgical procedures are often required to remove bacterial deposits and damaged tissue so that you can re-establish a baseline level of oral health. Long-term supportive periodontal therapy is important to monitor and maintain your periodontal health.

The following treatments can be part of the treatment plan:

• Bone and Soft Tissue Grafting
• Guided Tissue Regenerations
• Dental Implant Placement

CTA: For anything from crowns for broken teeth to veneers to periodontitis treatment, contact our professional team here.