Gum disease refers to an inflammation of the gums caused by bacteria, mucus and other particles that are present in plaque or the colorless, sticky film that builds up on teeth. Not following an oral hygiene routine that consists of brushing and flossing twice a day may lead to hardening of this film that eventually leads to periodontal (gum) diseases.
Mississauga, Ontario has many excellent dental clinics that offer the whole range of dental treatments, including cleaning of plaque and tartar. This prevents the development of gum diseases.
Stages of gum diseases:
Stage I: Tartar formation – This is the development stage of the disease. When plaque is not removed regularly, it hardens into tartar. By then, it can no longer be removed through brushing alone, and would require a dentist’s intervention.
Stage II: Gingivitis – When tartar is ignored and no professional cleaning is done, the bacteria will flourish and cause gum inflammation, also called gingivitis. The result is gums that are red, swollen and prone to bleeding. The disease really needs to be contained at this stage through regular brushing and flossing, and seeing a dental hygienist or dentist regularly.
Stage III: Periodontitis – This is the advanced stage of gingivitis which, when left untreated, causes inflammation around the teeth, also known as periodontitis. During this stage, the gums begin to form pockets below the gum line, which become infected due to trapped food and plaque. Even at this stage, proper dental treatment along with disciplined oral care at home can save further damage to surrounding gum tissue, bones and teeth.
Stage IV: Advanced Periodontitis – This is the final stage of gum disease. At this point, the damage to the gums, fibers and the bones that support your teeth is irreversible. The impacted teeth will loosen, and will likely have to be removed.
It is in the interest of the entire family’s health to add regular dental visits to your oral care routine so as to avoid unseen complications. If you have been showing symptoms of gum diseases, you should schedule an appointment with a dentist without any further delay.
Symptoms of Gum Diseases
- Red, swollen, or tender gums.
- Bleeding gums, especially while brushing.
- Bad breath that does not go away, even after brushing.
- Sensitive teeth.
- Pain while chewing.
- Loose teeth.
- Receding gums, or teeth that appear to have become longer.
Treatment for Gum Diseases
Treatment of gum disease depends on the stage at which you find yourself in. During the early stage of tartar formation, the dentist would do scaling or professional deep cleaning of your teeth to remove the tartar that has formed both above and below your gum line.
Root Planing is done by the dentist to remove rough spots on the tooth’s root where germs and bacteria are easy to gather. If the disease has advanced to the periodontitis stage, complex treatment procedures like flap surgery, bone and tissue graft, etc. may need to be done.
Any type of treatment and medication needs to be supplemented by maintenance of good oral hygiene at home, and giving up certain habits like smoking, or chewing tobacco, etc.
It is advisable not to allow gum and teeth problems to reach a stage where they become painful and require lengthy and expensive treatment. Check out the Mississauga Yellow Pages or online directory of Mississauga dentists if you suffer from any of the symptoms of gum disease. Make an appointment today!
Beautiful Smiles Start Here!