Do you have bleeding gums after brushing or flossing your teeth? Has the colour of your gums turned reddish for no apparent reason? Does it hurt when you chew or bite? If you have any of these symptoms that are often associated with gum disease, you are encouraged to come down for a dental check and evaluation. If you have already been diagnosed with gum disease, there’s no reason to panic either.
At Molonglo Dental Surgery, we offer various treatment options to help treat gum disease. Depending on your periodontal condition, treatment options vary from antibiotic medication to scaling and root planning to surgical treatment.
Rather than treat the problem after the fact, the ideal method for countering Gum Disease is through prevention. Regular dental checkups are essential for monitoring your dental development and checking for any gum-related issues that are not immediately apparent. Periodic cleaning sessions are invaluable towards preventing plaque and tartar buildup in the mouth, which is the most likely cause for gum disease.
Whether for gum disease prevention or treatment, our dental team at Molonglo Dental Surgery can look after your gums at different stages of your dental health.
Gum disease is one of the most prevalent and progressive dental ailments affecting both children and adults. If you suspect that you or a loved one has any gum-related issues, do not delay.
For more information on Gum Disease Prevention and Treatment, call our friendly team at Molonglo Dental Surgery on 02 6287 1222.
What is Gum Disease?
When the microscopic bacteria in your mouth come into contact with mucus and food particles, they harden to form plaque. When plaque accumulates on your teeth over time, it can cause an inflammation of the gums known as gingivitis, which is an early onset of gum disease. Common symptoms of gingivitis include reddish, swollen or bleeding gums.
If the early onset of gum disease (Gingivitis) is not swiftly dealt with, it can develop into a more complicated problem known as Periodontitis, which can result in severe tooth damage and even tooth loss. Studies have even linked extreme cases of gum diseases to serious medical conditions like heart attack, diabetes, and stroke.
Gum Disease Treatment
At Molonglo Dental Surgery, we offer a host of treatment options covering both preventive and non-surgical methods.
Professional dental cleaning
Regular dental checkups and professional cleaning will help you to keep gum issues in check and remove any plaque and tartar that normal brushing and flossing fail to get rid of. The frequency of visits depends on the condition of your gums.
Scaling and root planning
Using modern tools like ultrasonic scalers, our dentists use minimally invasive techniques to remove plaque and tartar from your gum line and smoothen out tooth roots that have been roughened by bacterial spots.
Medication
A course of antibiotics may be prescribed to help reduce bacterial build-up in your gums.
Prescription mouth rinse
A special mouth rinse that contains anti-microbial ingredients may be used to control the bacterial infection and promote healing of the tissues.
Patient education
Part of our drive to prevent gum disease involves educating patients on proper dietary habits and promoting our active maintenance program that covers routine cleaning as well as periodic visits to the clinic.
For early detection, prevention, and treatment of gum disease, call our friendly team at Molonglo Dental Surgery on 02 6287 1222.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Some of the more common signs and symptoms of gum issues include: Bleeding when you brush or floss; persistent redness or swelling; and chronic bad breath that won’t go away. You might even notice your teeth feeling slightly loose or sensitive. Do not ignore these symptoms. They are your body’s way of flagging potential gum issues that need your immediate attention.
Yes, but it depends on the stage of the disease. Gingivitis, which is the earliest stage of gum disease, can indeed be reversed with early detection and prompt action. To restore your gums to health would firstly require a thorough professional cleaning administered at a dental clinic, combined with improved at-home hygiene habits (like proper brushing and daily flossing). However, once gum disease is allowed to progress to an advanced stage – known as periodontitis – the damage becomes permanent. At that stage, a dentist can help to halt its progression and prevent further deterioration with targeted treatments.
Treatment is priced by quadrant. Your mouth divides into four, and deep cleaning is $250 for each quadrant treated. Most patients have one or two quadrants done per appointment, so the work is usually spread across a couple of visits rather than tackled all at once — which is easier on your jaw and easier on your budget.
Before deep cleaning begins, your dentist carries out a periodontal assessment and charting, generally at your check-up beforehand. This is $95, and it’s what tells us exactly which quadrants need treating and how far the disease has progressed. For a patient needing all four quadrants treated, the full course comes to $1,095.
Not everyone needs all four. Your dentist will assess your gums, tell you precisely how many quadrants need treatment, and give you the full cost in writing before anything starts. We claim from most health funds on the spot through HICAPS, and flexible payment plans are available through Afterpay, Zip and Humm.
Yes. You cannot overstate the importance of flossing when it comes to gum disease prevention. While brushing cleans about 60% of your tooth surfaces, flossing handles the other 40%. You can even say that flossing does the heavy lifting, cleaning those tight spaces between teeth and along the gum line where plaque is generally found. To neglect your daily flossing regime is to leave those areas vulnerable to bacterial buildup – which can quickly lead to inflammation and gum disease. Consider flossing an indispensable facet of maintaining your optimal gum health.
Yes. You would find bacteria lurking in unhealthy gum pockets. These bacteria release sulphur compounds that produce that stubborn foul smell that no amount of brushing, mouthwash or chewing gum can mask. The underlying gum issue needs to be addressed if you wish to get rid of the foul smell for good. That’s why treating gum disease is often the first step in combating persistent halitosis.
For most people, we recommend a professional clean every six months. However, if you have risk factors like a history of gum disease, smoking, or certain health conditions, you may require more frequent visits – every three to four months – to keep things in check. Prevention is always better than treatment.
Routine cleaning is typically painless, and for deeper treatments, we use gentle techniques and local anaesthetic to ensure you’re comfortable. Although patients have reported mild sensitivity after the treatment, it can be resolved quickly. At Molonglo Dental Surgery, your safety and comfort is our priority throughout any procedure.
At Molonglo Dental Surgery, we take a proactive approach to gum care. Our focus is on gentle treatment, early intervention, and comprehensive prevention strategies tailored to your needs. We believe that healthy gums are the foundation of a healthy smile. That is why we seek to empower patients with knowledge and tools to maintain healthy gums for life.