Having strong teeth is one of the foundations of good oral health. But did you know that our gums also play a huge part in keeping our smiles healthy?
Red, swollen and bleeding gums are common symptoms of periodontal or gum disease. This is often caused by poor oral hygiene.
The early stage of gum disease called gingivitis usually poses zero or very little pain or discomfort.
Left untreated, this could advance to a more serious form of gum disease called periodontitis. Periodontitis is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.
Gingivitis is reversible. Efficient good oral hygiene and regular visits to your hygienist for professional cleaning can reverse the disease.
Periodontitis may require scaling and root planing that go deeply below the gum line. This treatment is often followed by adjunctive therapy such as antimicrobials or antibiotics.
Your dentist may refer you to a Periodontist, a dental specialist in gum treatments. A Periodontist may use laser or other regenerative procedures to make your gums healthy again.