Gum Disease

Healthy gums.  They hold the teeth in place. Healthy gums are pink, firm and do not bleed when the teeth are cleaned.

 

Unhealthy gums are red, swollen and shiny. They bleed easily especially when cleaning teeth.  There may be bad breath or bad taste. Or the gums may be itchy or sore.  If the disease progresses the teeth may move causing spaces to appear between the teeth.  The teeth will start to loosen and the teeth will appear longer (due to recession of the gums).

 

The main cause of gum disease is plaque or tartar (calcified plaque).

 

There are a lot of other factors that modify or alter the way the body responds to the bacteria in the plaque and tartar.

· Smoking

· Hormonal changes

· Diabetes

· Many medications such as some medications for high blood pressure

 

Treatment involves a dentist or hygienist removing all the tartar and you removing all the plaque on a regular daily basis.  This involves brushing and cleaning between the teeth with floss or small brushes such as ‘piksters’.

 

If the gum disease is advanced or more severe then referral to a specialist in gums will be indicated.  There are two such specialists in Hobart.

 

All this tartar on my teeth. Is it because I’m not cleaning my teeth properly?

Every body gets tartar on their teeth to some extent. Tartar is calcified saliva so everybody who has saliva will get some amount of tartar.  Tartar cannot be removed by brushing or flossing. It needs to be professionally removed by a dentist or hygienist.