How to prevent gum disease?

What is gum disease?

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is primarily caused by bacterial growth in the mouth. However, it typically starts with poor oral hygiene habits. When you don't brush and floss regularly, plaque can build up on your teeth. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth and gums. If not removed through proper oral hygiene, it hardens into tartar (also called calculus), which can only be removed by a dentist or dental hygienist.

The bacteria in plaque and tartar can irritate and inflame the gums, leading to gingivitis, which is the earliest stage of gum disease. Gingivitis is characterised by red, swollen gums that bleed easily when brushed or flossed.

If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a more severe form of gum disease. In periodontitis, the gums pull away from the teeth, forming pockets that become infected. Over time, the infection can destroy the bone and tissue that support the teeth, leading to tooth loss.

Apart from poor oral hygiene, other factors can contribute to gum disease, including smoking, hormonal changes (such as those that occur during pregnancy or menopause), certain medications, genetic predisposition, systemic diseases like diabetes, and a diet high in sugar and carbohydrates.

How can you prevent gum disease?

Our philosophy is to prevent gum disease by ensuring our clients have regular checkups and teeth cleaning. We have two full time dental hygienists who will remove all plaque build up and check your gums are in a healthy condition. We will recommend an annual teeth clean - or more regularly visits if we believe you’re at a higher risk of periodontitis.

Our dental hygienists use EMS AIRFLOW® and Guided Biofilm Therapy to offer a gentler, more comfortable and more effective cleaning experience. If you don’t like your teeth cleaned, have highly sensitive teeth, have dental implants or have orthodontic braces or brackets, then these cleaning tools are perfect for you.