Gum Disease

What is gum disease?
Gum disease describes swelling, soreness or infection of the tissues supporting the teeth. There are two main forms of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontal disease.

What is gingivitis?
Gingivitis refers to inflammation of the gums, with the gums around the teeth becoming very red and swollen. Often the swollen gums will bleed when brushed.

What is periodontal disease?
Long-standing gingivitis can turn into periodontal disease. Although there are a number of types of periodontal disease, they all affect the tissues supporting the teeth. As the disease progresses, the bone anchoring the teeth in the jaw is lost, making the teeth loose. If this is not treated, the teeth may eventually fall out.

What is the cause of gum disease?
All gum disease is caused by plaque; a film of bacteria which forms on the surface of the teeth and gums every day. Many of the bacteria in plaque are completely harmless, but there are some that have been shown to cause gum disease. To prevent and treat gum disease, a dental hygiene routine is vital to ensure that all the plaque is removed from your teeth every day by brushing and flossing.

What happens if gum disease is not treated?
Gum disease often progresses painlessly so you may not even be aware of the damage it is doing until it is too late. The bacteria can sometimes be more active which will make your gums sore.

Gum disease, if left untreated, can lead to gum abscesses and pus may ooze from around the teeth. Over a number of years, the bone supporting the teeth can be lost and, if the disease is left untreated for a long time, treatment can become more difficult.

How do I know if I have gum disease?
The first sign of gum disease is blood on the toothbrush or in the rinsing water when you clean your teeth. Your gums may also bleed when you are eating, leaving a bad taste in your mouth, and your breath may become unpleasant.

Gum disease can be treated effectively be seeing our expert hygienists on a regular basis and following their advice.

Periodontal disease is explained very well in this video by the British Society of Periodontology