It is important that you visit your dentist Ryde on a regular basis to look after your teeth and gums. Here in Australia, gum disease is a huge problem despite advances in dental technology. If you avoid the dentist then plaque and tartar will build up on the surface of your teeth. Plaque is a mixture of bacteria, food, particles and saliva that stick to the surface of your teeth. Bacteria grows in this sticky substance and eventually you will have millions of bacteria on the surface of your teeth. Although this is a combination of good bacteria and harmful bacteria, the harmful bacteria can invade your mouth and release acids and toxins which weaken your teeth and gums. Gum disease is common in Australia; 3 in every 10 adults have moderate to severe gum disease. The early stages of gum disease is reversible, but if left untreated it may lead to more serious infection and complications. Eventually gum disease can result in tooth loss so therefore it is important that you visit your Dentist Ryde on a regular basis so that they can detect any signs of disease very early on and begin treatment immediately.
Reversing early gum disease
Gum disease has a range of unpleasant symptoms. You will notice your gums bleed when you brush them, they may be swollen or tender, they may be a different shade to what they normally are and you can also experience bad breath. This can be very unpleasant and it can be embarrassing at the same time. The treatment of gum disease depends on what stage you are at. The very early stages of gum disease can be treated by maintaining excellent dental hygiene at home. This means brushing your teeth very carefully and effectively at least twice a day. You will need to floss between your teeth, at least once a day to remove any lingering food particles and bacteria from your mouth. You may be advised to use an antiseptic mouthwash which will keep your teeth and gums even more cleaner as well as freshening your breath at the same time. Your Dentist may recommend that you visit the hygienist for a professional clean. This is known as a scale and polish and can be carried out in approximately 30 to 45 minutes to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth allowing your gums to recover.
Deep cleaning
Some patients require deep cleaning. Deep cleaning is a more invasive procedure in comparison to a conventional scale and polish. Deep cleaning is carried out to remove bacteria from below the gum line and from the roots of your teeth. This can be uncomfortable however will be carried out under local anaesthetic and sedation where necessary for your comfort and ease. Deep cleaning is an excellent form of gum disease treatment, and although the recovery may take one or two weeks, it can improve your dental health significantly.
Gum surgery
If gum disease has damaged your gums significantly and resulted in gum thinning and gum recession then you may need a gum surgery. Gum surgery or a gum graft is designed to reverse the signs of gum disease. The purpose of gum surgery is to cover exposed tooth roots and add volume to your gums. This can help regrow damaged bones and tissues, prevent tooth loss, reduce gum gaps between the teeth, and reshape the jawbone to eliminate bacterial growth.
Missing teeth
If you continue to avoid the dentist completely then eventually gum disease will result in missing teeth. Missing teeth can have huge consequences therefore it is important that you visit the dentist on a regular basis to avoid this. If you do lose a tooth then it is also important that you have this issue addressed as soon as possible to avoid further complications. Missing teeth as a result of gum disease are like dominoes, before you know it, you can lose all of your teeth. Your dentist can put together a treatment plan for you. Missing teeth can be replaced in different ways depending on how many teeth you are replacing as well as your personal preferences. You can find out about a removable tooth replacement such as dentures or you can find out about fixed tooth replacement for example, bridges and dental implants. Dental implants are the gold standard in replacing missing teeth and if you are eligible then this is the best way to do so. Speak to your dentist today, make sure you keep up with your regular appointments and look after your teeth and gums at home to enjoy good dental health and prevent gum disease and tooth loss in the future.
Disclaimer
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
