Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris

Family dental care in Glen Iris

Gum Disease: Risks, Prevention, and Treatment for Lifelong Oral Health in Glen Iris.

It’s alarming that 3 out of 4 adults will experience gum disease (periodontal disease) during their lives, and adults over age 35 lose more teeth to gum disease than to cavities. The good news is your oral health isn’t just up to chance—gum disease can be prevented and effectively treated.

Prevention Is Key

The best approach is prevention through daily oral hygiene and regular dental cleanings. Dr. Kaufman offers professional scaling and root planing, which removes plaque and calculus from below the gum line. Smoother root surfaces allow gums to heal and halt further disease progression. After healing, twice-daily brushing, flossing, and twice-yearly checkups are essential to maintaining healthy gums.

Factors That Worsen Gum Disease

Certain lifestyle and health factors make gum disease more severe:

Reducing or managing these risks will have a significant impact on gum disease prevention.

Treatment Options

If you develop gum disease, Dr. Kaufman provides a range of non-surgical treatments: antibiotic therapy, reshaping biting surfaces, and laser-assisted scaling and root planing. If you need support or advice on managing gum disease, ask Dr. Kaufman or schedule an appointment for a personalized consultation.

At what age does Gum Disease start in Glen Iris?

Gum disease symptoms for most of us will start to show in our thirties. But if oral hygiene is not up to standards most of us will have some form of gum disease earlier in life since gum disease can start at any time or any age. There are young adults at the age of 12 or 13 that can show loss of bone and gum infection. But there are other factors that play a part in the onset and progression of gum disease for example men (56.4%) will be more affected than women (38.4%) and those who smoke have a higher risk too (64.2%).

Other factors that can put the average Australian at risk of developing gum disease include diabetes, stress, HIV, certain medications, and even female hormonal changes. Sometimes, it can even just be in your genes, since genetics  play a main role in determining how the body will respond to a gum infection.

What Causes Gum Disease to Develop?

Gum disease begins with plaque or dental biofilm that stays on your teeth for too long. Plaque can be removed by regular brushing and flossing, but if it stays on the teeth longer than 2 or 3 days, it can turn into calculus, which hardens under your gum line. Once calculus forms there will be a need to remove it with ultrasonic or hand scalers.

While the plaque and calculus are attached to the teeth, the bacteria in them release toxins that inflame and irritate the gums. Once the inflammation begins, you’ll usually notice your gums are swollen, tender, and/or bleeding, especially after brushing or flossing. This condition is the beginning stage of gum disease, called gingivitis.

If left untreated, the infection will spread to larger parts of the gum tissue and will lead to pocket development between gums and teeth . Those pockets fill up with more plaque and bacteria. Leading to the advanced stages of gum disease, where supporting bone loss occurs, called periodontitis.  The more the gum disease advances, the deeper infections can go, which can lead to tissue and bone loss and eventually teeth will need to be removed.

What You Can Do to Fight Gum Disease 

To ward off the risk of gum disease be sure to brush your teeth twice a day and floss regularly. It is important to keep your regularly scheduled dental cleaning appointments and not smoke. If you have more questions about the condition of your gums or if you would like more information about gum disease, please ask Dr. Kaufman or schedule an appointment for a consultation.

What is the difference between Scaling and Root Planning in Glen Iris?

Following an examination of the gum tissues, your dentist may recommend treatment such as scaling and/or root planing depending on the condition of your gums, the amount of calculus (tartar) present, the depth of gum pockets, and the progression of gum disease.

What Is Scaling?

Scaling is the removal of plaque and calculus from the tooth surface above and below the gum line using special dental instruments, including ultrasonic scalers and hand scalers. During this procedure, superficial stains on the teeth are also removed, leaving your teeth looking cleaner and brighter. This helps eliminate bacteria that irritate the gums and cause inflammation.

What Is Root Planing?

Root planing is a more in-depth procedure targeting the root surfaces of teeth. It involves removing infected cementum and smoothening out rough areas on the tooth root where bacteria and toxins tend to accumulate. This smoothing allows the gums to heal properly and reattach to the tooth surface, preventing further bacterial colonization. Because the root surface may be sensitive, local anesthesia is often administered to minimize discomfort.

When Are These Treatments Necessary?

  • If gum pocket depths are 3 mm or less, scaling alone combined with good oral hygiene at home may suffice to reverse gum disease.

  • If pockets are deeper than 3 mm, root planing will likely be needed in conjunction with scaling to thoroughly remove infection and promote healing.

Healing and Outcomes

After scaling and/or root planing, a healing period of a few weeks is typical. Successful treatment eradicates harmful bacteria, allowing gum tissues to recover. As a result, gum pocket depths should reduce to less than 3 mm, and symptoms like bad breath should improve significantly.

When to Contact Your Dentist

If you notice any signs of gum inflammation such as redness, swelling, or bleeding, seek prompt evaluation and treatment. Early intervention can prevent progression to more severe gum disease and tooth loss.

For personalised advice and treatment, please contact Dr. Daniel Kaufman or schedule an appointment at Tooronga Family Dentistry.