What is Gum disease?
Bacterial infection of gums due to trapped food material causes inflammation of gums leading to gum disease or gingivitis.
It is a standard body’s response mechanism to eradicate the bacterial infection present on the site of food accumulation.
Unfortunately, the body does not understand that the site of infection is outside the blood stream or external. The immune response is internal and causes the excessive blood to flow in the gums making them red, swollen and bleed even on gently brushing or flossing.
Gum Disease Treatment
Brushing & Flossing
Every tooth is made of 5 surfaces. Correct brushing technique effectively removes food traps from 3 surfaces of tooth. Therefore covering 60-70% of tooth surface. Flossing and using interdental aids reach out to remaining 2 surfaces of tooth, hence covering the remaining 30-40% of the tooth surface.
Brushing twice daily using correct technique with soft bristle tooth brush and Fluoride tooth paste acts as treatment and prevention of gum disease. Flossing and using interdental aids regularly, helps in getting rid of food trapped in between two teeth and also under the gums which is the most neglected area to clean. Hence effective brushing and cleaning in between the teeth twice daily can act as a great prevention tool in maintaining oral health.
A Professional Approach
Not every particle can be removed effectively at home by following daily oral regime. Tiniest of the food particle left in the mouth attracts bacteria. This bacteria multiplies in the soft plaque. Saliva present in the mouth calcifies these soft plaque converting it into hard calculus. This calculus can only be removed by professional approach, using instruments aided with advanced technology.
A healthy mouth usually needs 2 professional hygiene treatments per year. Those suffering from gum disease may require more frequent treatments to reduce the bacterial load until the disease is stabilised. Once the disease is stable the frequency of treatment can be reduced as needed.
