Gum Disease at Aura in Kingston

Do you have Gum Disease? Warning signs to look out for!

• Gums are red, puffy, swollen or tender
• Gums are bleeding during dental hygiene (brushing or flossing) or when you are eating
• Teeth are looking longer because the gum tissue has receded from inflammation
• Gum pocket formation as gums separate or ‘pull away’ from the teeth
• Shifting or drifting teeth, which is also noticeable when your teeth bite together
• Pus exuding between the teeth and gum tissue
• Constant bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth

There are two main forms of gum infection:

Gingivitis

Means inflammation of the gums. It is the earliest warning of gum disease. The first sign is blood on the toothbrush or in the rinsing water when you clean your teeth. It is reversible, as bone damage has not yet occurred. The gums become inflamed due to the build-up of plaque at the gum line. If daily brushing and flossing does not remove the plaque properly toxins are produced by bacteria that irritate the gum tissue, causing gingivitis. Damage from gingivitis is reversible with proper and regular brushing and flossing, as the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place are not yet affected. Good oral health will keep plaque from building up. A professional cleaning by your dentist or hygienist is the only way to remove plaque that has built up and hardened into tartar.

Periodontitis

Is caused from long-standing, untreated gingivitis. It is a more developed gum infection where the supporting bone and fibers that help hold your teeth in place are irreversibly damaged. A pocket begins to form below the gum line, which traps food and plaque. Proper dental hygiene treatment and improved home care can usually help put the disease into remission and prevent further damage from occurring. There are a number of types of periodontal disease and they all affect the tissues supporting the teeth.

Advanced Periodontitis

Is a severe gum infection from long-standing, untreated periodontitis. This is the final stage of gum disease where the fibers and bone supporting your teeth are destroyed. Due to this damage, the teeth start to shift or loosen and the bite becomes affected. If aggressive periodontal treatment by a specialist can’t save the teeth, they may need to be removed or they may eventually fall out on their own.

All gum disease is caused by plaque. Plaque is 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 which are the main cause of gum disease. The harmful bacteria in the plaque multiply in number, produce and secrete toxins, which irritate and damage the gums and bone support structure. The result is the teeth become loose, fall out or have to be removed by a dentist.

Unfortunately, gum disease develops very slowly in most people and progresses painlessly on the whole so that you do not notice the damage it is doing. As it progresses, the gums become sore which can lead to abscesses and pus oozing from around the teeth to teeth being loose and falling out. Most people suffer from some form of gum disease and it is the major cause of tooth loss in adults.

Gum disease is never cured but can be slowed down to a rate that should allow you to keep most of your teeth for life. By continuing with meticulous home care with daily brushing and flossing, prevents the buildup of plaque and bacteria growth, keeping your teeth, gums and bone healthy. Regular check-ups to the dentist to assess your gum health and hygiene appointments to thoroughly and effectively clean all surfaces of your teeth helps keep the gums healthy.

AURA is committed to prevention and oral health. If you are unsure, which cleaning aids and products to use, just ask. We are here to help!