Every time you brush your gums bleed. They look red, swollen and are a bit painful as well. You know you should have spent more time brushing and flossing but what now? The symptoms you have are a sign that you already have Gum Disease, and are now on your way to a potentially serious condition that will require gum therapy treatment to resolve it. Early treatment for gum disease is crucial if you are to avoid tooth loss and the systemic health complications associated with poor gum health. At Evolve Dental Kenmore Dentist, we can help, as we are dedicated to your gum health and your total health.

Gum disease has two forms:

Gingivitis: The earliest stage of gum disease, causing inflammation and some bleeding of the gums because of plaque and tartar buildup at the gumline. Gingivitis causes gum inflammation of the gum but no bone loss around the tooth.

Periodontitis: The second stage of gum disease where the supporting bone and fibers that hold your teeth in place are damaged causing bone damage and loss which will worsen over time until your teeth are unsupported and loose, resulting in poor mouth and body health as well as tooth loss.

Periodontitis is a common complaint affecting over 60% adults over the age of 30 years. It occurs in people who have preexisting gum disease that is not adequately controlled or treated.
Your gums may begin to form a pocket below the gumline as the gum peels away form the teeth and bone is damaged from the bacteria and inflammation.

This pocket traps food and plaque and becomes too deep for you to effectively clean it out by yourself with tooth brushing and flossing. If left untreated, plaque calcifies to form dental calculus (tartar) which further irritates and damages the gum and bone around your tooth. Dental calculus cannot be removed with floss or tooth brushing. It must be removed completely by the dental hygienist or the dentist in order to remove the bacteria and treat the inflammation causing the gingivitis/periodontitis.

Proper dental regular gum treatments and improved home care can usually help prevent further damage. But remember if you have pocketing around your teeth you cannot effectively remove the food and plaque on your own so regular professional care is required to prevent active gum disease returning.

If left untreated, bone supporting your teeth can be destroyed, causing your teeth to shift or loosen.

• Computerized charting – Our computer software allows us to measure the depth of pockets at the infected and healthy areas as well as document any bleeding or infection. We can compare your readings from one appointment to the next and provide you with a graphic printout so you can see how you are doing and where you can help yourself with better home care. This also allows us to tailor our treatment, specifically for you.
• Ultrasonic instrumentation – We use the most modern ultrasonic equipment available to remove plaque buildup quickly and comfortably.
• Gum Therapy – Our highly skilled dental hygienists have been trained to thoroughly remove the bacteria ridden plaque and tartar deposits that colonise the roots of your teeth in areas of pocketing. Removing bacteria and reducing inflammation is the key to eliminating periodontal disease.
• Perio protect is a comprehensive method that is customized for individual patients to help manage biofilms – communities of bacteria, growing in the spaces or pockets between teeth and gum tissue. The overall goal of the Perio Protect Method is to manage oral biofilm (bacteria) with minimally invasive dentistry for lasting oral health.

Daily oral hygiene is vital in preventing the onset and growth of gum disease bacteria. Brushing and flossing keep teeth free from plaque-generating bacteria. In addition it is important to visit the dentist regularly for professional cleanings and examinations and to address any lifestyle or health issues that can be compromising your gum health.