Treating & Preventing Gum Disease

Using a healthy approach to treating periodontal disease

One of the most common reasons for tooth loss is the onset of periodontal disease, also known as gum disease. Fortunately, gum disease is treatable and preventable. As part of your oral care here at Georgian Dental®, regular checkups will include examinations for signs of periodontal disease, and recommendations for the necessary treatments to keep your mouth healthy.

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Using our unique method of dental care, we will also evaluate the various elements of your health and lifestyle that can contribute to the development of gum disease, and offer guidance and advice on how to make simple changes to improve your overall state of health and well-being.

What is Gum Disease?

Signs and symptoms of periodontal disease

Through regular brushing and flossing of your teeth and gums, bacteria and plaque is scrubbed away, leaving your mouth clean, fresh, and healthy. However, if this bacteria and plaque is allowed to build up, it can start to produce toxins that have negative health effects on your gums.

As the plaque accumulates, it begins to push the gums away from the teeth just below the gum line. Initial signs and symptoms include red and swollen gums, which may bleed easily. At this stage, the condition is known as gingivitis, and is often treatable with a more diligent brushing and flossing routine.

If left unchecked, gingivitis develops in to periodontitis, which is when more serious health complications can arise. These can include damage to the gums or bone supporting the teeth, as well as loose teeth that may even fall out if the condition is not treated and reversed.  Because the initial signs of gum disease are difficult to see without closer examination, many patients don’t know they are developing the condition until they have a checkup that looks for these factors. This is why regular checkups are essential in the prevention and treatment of periodontal disease.

However, if you notice that your gums are becoming increasingly sensitive, red, swollen, or more prone to bleeding, you should book an appointment as soon as possible for an examination. Other common symptoms of gum disease include chronic or recurring bad breath, bad taste in the mouth, receding gum line, changing tooth alignment or bite problems, or permanent teeth that are starting to feel loose or wiggly.

Additional risk factors to be aware of

Although the leading cause of gingivitis and periodontitis is poor or irregular oral care habits, there are other factors that could place you at higher risk of developing these conditions. It’s important to be aware of these factors, as many of them carry other health risks as well. As part of our approach to your care, Georgian Dental® considers all of these factors when evaluating your dental health and determining the best treatment options.

Other Risk Factors for Gum Disease

  • Smoking or other tobacco use
  • Diabetes, Type 1 and 2
  • Certain medications including steroids, cancer therapy drugs, channel blockers, or oral contraceptives
  • Previous dental work that has become damaged or misaligned, including bridges, fillings, or crowns

Treatment Options

What are my options for treating gum disease?

There are several methods for treating gum disease depending on the progression of the condition and the needs of the patient. In many instances, non-surgical options such as at-home periodontal trays, as well as deep-cleaning scaling and root planing treatments performed by our team of dental hygienists will stop gum disease from progressing and get your oral health back to normal. For more advanced cases, treatment options can include laser gum surgery and periodontal surgery.

Better Treatment Options

Introducing OraVital BiofilmDNA Testing

Georgian Dental® is pleased to introduce the use of BiofilmDNA testing in our clinics to help us make better diagnoses and treatment plans for conditions, including:

Periodontal Disease – Infection and inflammation of the gum & bone surrounding & supporting the teeth.
Gingivitis – The inflammation or infection of the gums.
Caries – The decay and/or crumbling of a tooth or bone.
Halitosis – An oral health problem that causes bad smelling breath.
Peri-implantitis – An infectious disease causing inflammation in soft tissue and bone loss around an active, in use dental implant.

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