Gum Disease Prevention Primer

Gum disease is extremely common, with roughly 70% of Canadians experiencing it to some degree at some point in their lives. Many of these cases go undiagnosed until they have progressed to the point where a periodontal specialist must be called in. This occurs because mild forms of gum disease are often painless, with early symptoms difficult to spot by the untrained or uninformed eye. For this reason, prevention is extremely important, and awareness is the first step in the fight. 

How does gum disease begin?

As with many dental afflictions, gum disease is the result of improper oral hygiene. When plaque forms below the visible gumline and is given the chance to harden into tartar due to negligent brushing habits, bacterial infection can occur. In its early stages, this bacteria infection is known as gingivitis. Reddened gums may be visible at this stage to indicate the onset of infection, but many untrained eyes struggle to identify this redness in the pink-hued gums.

How does gum disease progress?

If left untreated, and further worsened by poor cleaning habits, tiny pockets of infection begin to form, causing the gums to become puffy. The gums will become more prone to bleeding during brushing and flossing, but will still be relatively pain-free. The lack of pain is perhaps the most sinister component of gum disease, as it allows the infection to creep along unnoticed until it is too late. By the time you are feeling pain, the infection will have begun to destroy the gum tissues, which can result in loss of teeth.

How do I fight gum disease?

The first step in preventing gum disease is the basic upkeep of healthy oral care habits. Flossing and brushing as advised by your dentist go a long way towards fending off this creeping gumline affliction. Booking and having your child attend regular appointments with your dental professional is also crucial for early identification. If your child is already in the early stages of gum disease, the best treatment is a professional cleaning to remove built-up calculus that cannot be accessed with brushing and flossing alone.