“Periodontal disease or gum disease is the most common human disease in the World. Most people have a little”

In childhood we suffer from tooth decay at a time when we eat a lot of sweets! It is rare to suffer from gum disease in childhood but it can happen (Juvenile Periodontitis). As we reach adulthood our bodies change and for some susceptible individuals their bodies immune system overreacts to the natural bacteria that forms each day on our teeth called ‘dental plaque’.

When our bodies immune cells overact and damage bacteria they also damage the neighbouring gum and bone that support the teeth. Bone is slowly dissolved, gums become red, swollen and inflamed. Surprisingly this is a painless condition until the disease is very advanced.

Signs of gum disease

• Bleeding gums after tooth brushing
• Red, swollen gums
• Swelling gums and pus (abscesses)
• Loose teeth and drifting teeth
• Bad breath
• Stained teeth
• Tooth sensitivity

Late signs of gum disease are painful tooth and gum infections. Teeth become very loose teeth and have to be removed.

Dentists screen patients for gum disease at each dental examination

Dentists monitor the health of our gums by looking for the telltale signs of gum disease at each recall visit. Gum disease often occurs in bursts of activity and then remission, it is therefore important to attend your dentist regularly so if there is a flare up of gum disease activity this can be identified.

Evaluating the Extent of Gum Disease

X-ray pictures help identify areas of bone loss from around teeth.

A gum probe is used to carefully measure the gum pockets around teeth. Basically we can keep small gum pockets clean ourselves with a good tooth brushing technique. Anything over 3mm needs regular professional tooth cleaning, e.g. a dental hygienist or therapist who is expert at using hand instruments to remove soft plaque and hard dental calculus or tartar from beneath the gum line. Pockets over 6mm indicated advanced gum disease and these teeth have a poor outlook.

Bleeding gums are noted and indicated locations where there is active gum disease.