What Your Dentist in Burlington Wants You to Know About Gum Disease
As a dentist in Burlington, I’ve seen the insidious progression of gum disease before patients realize there is a problem. At Maple Mews Dental Office, we believe prevention starts with information. By understanding gum disease—causes, symptoms, and treatment—you can enjoy optimal oral health and maybe avoid serious repercussions.
Your Dentist in Burlington Shares What Gum Disease Is
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a bacterial infection of the tissues around your teeth. It starts with bacteria in your mouth and, if left untreated, can result in tooth loss by breaking down the tissue that holds your teeth in place.
The disease develops in stages. Plaque bacteria accumulate first, causing gingivitis—the least severe form of gum disease. Your gums become red, swollen, and bleed on brushing and flossing. Luckily, damage at this stage can be reversed by professional therapy combined with adequate oral home care.
Untreated gingivitis can develop into periodontitis, where bone and inner gum lining recede from the teeth, creating pockets of debris and infection. As the disease advances, the pockets deepen and deepen, destroying more and more gum tissue and bone.
Signs of Trouble that You Need to Be Aware of
As your dentist in Burlington, I urge you to pay attention to the following warning signs:
- Bleeding gums when brushing or flossing: Any bleeding, even very small, is abnormal and should be examined.
- Red, sore, or painful gums: Healthy gums are firm and pink.
- Ongoing bad breath: Gum disease can cause bad breath through bacteria.
- Receding gums: Your teeth can start to look longer as gums wear away.
- Loose or moving teeth: Teeth may shift as the supporting structures are weakened.
- A change in the way your teeth fit together: You might feel this while biting.
- Pus between gums and teeth: Shows infection.
It is not rare for patients to be unaware that gum disease will progress painlessly to advanced stages. Therefore, regular dental check-ups at our Burlington dental clinic are important in order to diagnose it in the early stages.
Risk Factors for Gum Disease
Knowing your risk factors helps in prevention. These include:
- Poor oral care: Infrequent brushing and flossing allows plaque to build up.
- Tobacco or smoking: One of the biggest risk factors, also impacting treatment success.
- Heredity: There may be a family history that predisposes.
- Hormonal imbalance: Pregnancy, menopause, or other hormonal imbalance render gums vulnerable.
- Medications: Some medications suppress saliva production, which gums employ to shield themselves.
- Diabetes: Diabetics have higher susceptibility to infection, including gum infection.
- Other illnesses: Other illness like cancer or AIDS and the treatment will contribute to oral condition.
Preventive Measures through Your Dentist in Burlington
There is still much to be learned about gum diseases. As a Burlington dentist, I recommend you do the following:
- Brushing twice in a day: Use fluoride-based toothpaste using a soft brush.
- Brushing every day: Food caught between teeth as the brush could not reach
- Antimicrobial mouth rinse: Kills germs.
- See the dentist regularly: Dental cleanings can eliminate tartar home care cannot.
- Quit smoking: This significantly improves your oral health outlook.
- Eat a healthy diet: Nutrition plays a strong role in gum wellness.
- Reduce stress: Stress can erode your immune system’s resistance to infection.
Treatment Options at Maple Mews Dental
If you are suffering from the symptoms of gum disease, do not delay. Your dentist in Burlington can avert serious problems through early treatment. Maple Mews Dental provides various forms of treatments:
Non-Surgical Treatments:
- Professional cleaning: Plaque and tartar are eliminated.
- Scaling and root planing: A deep clean process that dislodges bacteria from beneath the gum line and smoothes out root surfaces.
- Antibiotic therapies: Can be taken in tablet form, used as a mouthwash, or placed directly into periodontal pockets.
Surgical Treatments for Advanced Cases:
- Flap surgery: Reverses gum tissue to eliminate tartar and decrease periodontal pockets.
- Bone and tissue grafts: Assists in regrowing bone or gum tissue destroyed by periodontitis.
- Guided tissue regeneration: Induces bone and gum tissue growth.
The Relationship of Gum Disease to Your General Health
As a dentist in Burlington who has full dentistry, I would like to say that gum disease is not simply an oral condition. Periodontal disease has been linked with a variety of serious health problems, such as:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Complications of diabetes
- Respiratory diseases
- Pregnancy complications
This connection, also known as the oral-systemic connection, explains why you should treat gum disease right away for your overall health.
See Your Dentist in Burlington for Gum Health Evaluation
We at Maple Mews Dental Office are committed to keeping Burlington residents’ gums healthy and smiles beautiful. Whether you’ve been experiencing any of the symptoms of gum disease or six months have lapsed since your last dental visit, I invite you to make an appointment.
Our convenient office hours—such as Wednesday evening appointments through 8:00 PM—make it even simpler to prioritize your oral health. Remember, early treatment is the easiest way to prevent gum disease from taking hold and to protect both your smile and your overall health.
Schedule a gum health test at Maple Mews Dental by calling 905-632-2442 or by sending us an email to appointments@maplemewsdental.ca today. Your smile deserves the utmost attention from your dentist in Burlington.