Gum disease is the silent epidemic
Are your gums swollen, red or bleeding? It may be caused by periodontal gum disease. Our gum disease specialists and periodontal dentists in Gisborne can tailor a gum maintenance and treatment plan just for you, right here in Gisborne.
Did you know gum disease is among the most common health conditions affecting adults worldwide? What’s worse is that gum disease is often painless and can fester for years before showing noticeable signs. We’ve seen many cases where untreated gum disease led to tooth loss, making it hard to eat well and leaving patients embarrassed by their smile.
If tooth loss has already occurred, your periodontal dentist may recommend dental implants to help restore your smile and confidence.
Good gum maintenance gives you solid foundations
Your gums (or in dental terms, periodontal tissues) include the soft pink skin around your teeth, the connective tissue underneath, and the bone that supports your tooth roots.
These give your teeth the strength to bite through your favourite nutty muesli or pizza crusts. Healthy gums keep your teeth stable and your smile looking great in photos with friends and family.
When gums become diseased, they get inflamed and irritated. They can bleed, swell, recede, and break down over time. Signs like bad breath and discomfort after meals can appear too.
As gum disease worsens, it may loosen your teeth, cause ongoing pain and even lead to teeth falling out painlessly, nobody wants to wake up to a tooth on their pillow! In some severe cases, your gum disease specialist may recommend a tooth extraction to protect your overall oral health.
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You can get gum disease assessment and treatment at your local dentist
As part of your ongoing oral care, attending regular general dentistry check-ups can help catch gum disease early and prevent more serious issues.
If you want to check your symptoms, below are some of the common reasons that cause gum disease. It is not an exhaustive list, but can be a screening tool.:
- Not flossing or using interdental brushes or a water flosser daily
- Family history or genetics (e.g. parents losing teeth early)
- Smoking or past smoking
- Poor nutrition, like low vitamin C
- Chronic health conditions like diabetes or autoimmune disorders
- Hormonal changes (e.g. pregnancy, menopause)
Your gum disease treatment plan will help you manage these risks and keep your smile healthy.
Fear not, there is hope for your periodontitis
With early detection, periodontitis (gum disease) often responds well to conservative treatment from your local periodontal dentist.
Our team takes a holistic approach, looking at hereditary, medical, lifestyle and habit factors that may affect your gums. We then create a simple plan to help improve your gum health step by step.
Treatment often starts with removing plaque and debris that trap bacteria around your teeth. If needed, we may perform periodontal treatment such as deep cleaning to help save teeth. We’ll also show you how to care for your gums at home so you can avoid bigger procedures later.
Every piece of gum care advice we give is tailored to fit you, your mouth and your lifestyle. We’ve helped everyone from shift workers brushing at odd hours to patients with arthritis who struggle to floss, and others who may be consistently putting gum maintenance on the ‘tomorrow to-do list’.
Our goal is to help you enjoy food, smile with confidence and spend less time in the dental chair. If you’re searching for a gum disease specialist near me or periodontal treatment in Gisborne, we’re ready to help.
