It is estimated that 23% of adults in Australia have periodontal disease. It cannot be cured. However, with the right care, it can be treated, managed and prevented from getting worse.
What Is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease is often referred to as gum disease because it is an infection of the gums. However, it doesn’t just infect the gums, it can also attack the bone underneath the gum.
It starts with an infection that causes your gums to become inflamed and swollen. They will usually look an angry red colour and are likely to bleed easily when brushed. If this stage is left untreated the infection will spread further into the gum until it reaches the bone. It is capable of destroying bone and damaging the structure of your face.
Over time the damage can cause teeth to become loose and fall out.
There are several warning signs that you have periodontal disease:
- Swollen and red gums which bleed easily
- Pain when chewing
- Sensitive teeth
- Bad breath all the time
- Change in your bite
- Gums appear to be pulling away from your teeth
Prevention & Treatment
The same approach can be adopted for prevention as treatment.
- Regular Dental Visits
It all starts with regular visits to a reputable dentist, such as this Alexandria dentist. They will see any signs of periodontal disease and be able to eliminate the build-up of plaque under and around your gumline.
If this is done regularly it will prevent the condition from getting worse. That’s why you should see your dentist at least once a year and more often if told to.
They will also be able to build up a history of any dental problems, this will help them to be alert for connected issues in the future.
- Brush Daily
Of course, it’s also a good idea to brush your teeth every day. You should brush for two minutes each time and it’s best to brush morning and evening. This helps to remove the sticky film from your teeth that gets caught under your gum line and causes issues.
Alongside brushing it’s a good idea to floss once a day, this removes all the debris between your teeth. You can also use mouthwash to rinse plaque away, eliminate other pieces of debris, and keep your breath fresh.
- Pay Attention
Visiting a dentist regularly is essential to your ongoing oral and overall health. But, you also need to pay attention yourself, you can’t rely on the dentist to spot everything. After all, no one knows how your mouth feels better than you do!
If you notice anything different or concerning then get an emergency dental appointment and have it checked out.
While periodontal disease can’t be cured, catching it early does make it easy to treat it and prevent it from getting worse. That’s why it’s essential that you have regular check-ups and pay attention yourself between them.
Remember, one of the biggest clues is bleeding when brushing. If it happens, get it checked out.
