Preventive Care

Good oral hygiene is considered the best way to prevent cavities (dental caries), gingivitis, periodontitis, and other dental disorders. It also helps to prevent bad breath. Everyone benefits from good oral hygience and can feel the difference with gums that are pink and firm, and teeth that have fewer cavities. Oral hygiene involves personal and professional care.

Dental Hygienist

Visiting a dental hygienist should be an essential part of your dental routine because it is a key way to prevent gum disease. In the Western world more teeth are lost to gum disease than tooth decay.

Unfortunately it is only when gum disease is very severe and pain develops, that people know there is anything wrong. (See The Seven Signs of Gum Disease below.)

The good news is that a visit to a dental hygienist twice a year should guard against gum diseases. The dental hygienist specialises in preventive care with particular focus on preventing gum disease. The hygienist works closely with your dentists on the best approach to take.

Seven signs of periodontal disease

1. The gums are red and puffy. 
2. Bleeding gums. Gums should never bleed, even when you brush vigorously or use dental floss. If your gums bleed, even sometimes, something is wrong.
3. Persistent bad breath. This can be a sign of gum disease. You may not notice it yourself.
4. Spaces that begin to appear between the teeth.
5. One or more teeth begin to loosen.
6. Receding gums. Periodontal disease causes the gums to shrink away from the crown of the tooth and exposes some of the root.
7. Vague aching or itching or other discomfort.

Periodontal disease is almost always painless in the early stages. Four out of five teenagers and adults have periodontal disease and don’t know it. The good news is that most periodontal disease can be prevented, or if already started it can be treated. This is particularly true if it is recognised in its early stages.

Periodontal or gum disease is caused by plaque, a sticky, colourless film of bacteria, constantly forming on your teeth. These bacteria produce toxins that irritate the gums and damage teeth.

The earliest stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. This is a swelling of the gums that develops when plaque collects above and below the gumline. With proper oral care everyday and regular visits to your dental hygienist, gingivitis can be prevented or reversed because no permanent damage has occurred.

Periodontitis

Left untreated, gingivitis may progress to a more severe form of gum disease called periodontitis. Common symptoms of periodontitis are red swollen gums that have started to pull away from the teeth, creating pockets. Periodontitis damages the bone that supports the teeth. Once periodontitis develops, the damage cannot be reversed: only a professional treatment program and an improved level of daily oral care can keep it from getting worse.

FAQ

What should I do if I have any of the seven signs of gum disease?
Visit your dentist and dental hygienist for a cleaning and exam. In most cases, gum disease can be reversed or controlled if caught and treated early enough.
Better yet, by cleaning your teeth properly every day and making a visit every six months to your dental  hygienist for professional cleaning you can help prevent gum disease from ever developing.

What can I do at home?
Remember that cleaning your teeth is a two-step process of brushing and cleaning between your teeth with dental floss.  Dental floss helps get to areas your toothbrush can’t reach. If you don't floss, you’re leaving up to 40% of your tooth surfaces untouched and uncleaned.

My gums bleed when I floss. Should I stop flossing?
No. Don’t worry about your gums bleeding at first. This is quite common. It may be a sign that you have some form of gum disease. After a few days of flossing, the bleeding should stop as your gums become healthier. If bleeding persists consult your dental hygienist.