GUM DISEASE (PERIODONTAL DISEASE)

How Can I Tell If I Have Gum Disease?

One of the challenges of periodontal disease is that it is often painless in its early stages. Many people are unaware they have gum disease until significant damage has already occurred.

One of the earliest warning signs is bleeding gums, especially when brushing or flossing. As the disease progresses, the supporting bone around the teeth may be lost, causing teeth to become loose or shift position.

Common Signs and Symptoms

• Bleeding gums during brushing or flossing

• Red, swollen, or tender gums

• Persistent bad breath or an unpleasant taste in the mouth

• Receding gums or teeth appearing longer

• New spaces developing between teeth

• Loose or shifting teeth

• Pus around the gums or teeth

• Discomfort when chewing

If you notice any of these symptoms, a periodontal assessment is recommended.

How Is Periodontal Disease Treated?

Treatment depends on the severity of the disease. In many cases, early-stage periodontal disease can be treated without surgery. More advanced cases may require surgical intervention to restore and maintain periodontal health.

Scaling and Root Planing (Deep Cleaning)

Scaling and root planing is often the first step in treating periodontal disease. This procedure removes bacterial deposits, plaque, and hardened tartar (calculus) from beneath the gum line and smooths the root surfaces of the teeth.

You may also hear this treatment referred to as:

• Deep cleaning

• Initial therapy

• Phase One periodontal treatment

Unlike a routine dental cleaning, scaling and root planing is a specialised periodontal procedure performed under local anaesthetic to ensure your comfort.

Does Scaling and Root Planing Hurt?

Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the procedure is. Local anaesthetic is used to numb the treatment area, allowing the procedure to be performed with minimal discomfort.

Once the root surfaces have been thoroughly cleaned, the gums are given an opportunity to heal. In many cases, inflammation is reduced, pockets become shallower, and the gum tissue can reattach more closely to the tooth surface.

Pocket Reduction Surgery

When periodontal disease has caused deeper pockets around the teeth, surgical treatment may be recommended.

Pocket reduction surgery, also known as flap surgery, osseous surgery, or in some cases gingivectomy, allows access to the tooth roots and underlying bone so that bacterial deposits can be removed more effectively.

Why Might Pocket Reduction Surgery Be Necessary?

• To eliminate bacteria and infection that cannot be accessed with non-surgical treatment alone

• To reduce periodontal pocket depths and make oral hygiene easier

• To help preserve the supporting bone around the teeth

• To reduce the risk of future tooth loss

• To improve long-term gum health and treatment outcomes

By reducing bacterial infection and inflammation, periodontal treatment not only helps preserve your teeth but also contributes to better overall health.