Maintaining strong oral hygiene habits is the best way to maintain optimal gum health. It is important to brush and floss everyday. It is also important to get professional cleanings on a regular basis. During your professional cleaning, our hygienists are able to clean areas of the mouth that you can’t reach at home. They will also remove tartar, or calculus, which cannot be removed with brushing and flossing.

Preventive maintenance is a great first step, but sometimes gum disease appears even in otherwise healthy mouths. The two most common types of gum disease are gingivitis, and periodontitis. Gingivitis is the most usual form of gum disease, and also the most mild. It may cause swelling, bleeding, and pain, but can also present without any noticeable symptoms. When caught early, gingivitis can be reversed with quality dental care and strong at-home oral hygiene.

Left untreated, gingivitis can advance to periodontitis, a more severe type of gum disease. With periodontitis, plaque, calculus and bacteria underneath the gums cause inflammation and may ultimately lead to infection and permanent damage. Periodontitis erodes the structures that hold teeth in place and may eventually lead to tooth loss.

Our dental team at Century Park Dental has extensive experience treating gum diseases and other soft tissue disorders. We’ll teach you the oral health habits that will help lower your risk of gum disease, and ensure that your teeth and gums are sparkling after each checkup. If you are already dealing with gum disease, we offer a number of treatments to arrest the disease process and prevent further damage.

Great Oral Hygiene is the Key to Healthy Gums

Studies have shown that substandard oral hygiene is linked to the occurrence of gum disease, tooth decay, and other damaging oral health issues. For many people, poor oral hygiene doesn’t come from a lack of effort. Improving oral hygiene often comes down to understanding the tools you need, and the correct technique for how to use them.

• Brush twice per day, every day, for at least two minutes at a time using a soft bristle toothbrush. When brushing, aim the bristles of your brush toward your gum line, and clean in gentle circles.
• Floss at least once each day to clean the areas between teeth, and the places where your teeth meet your gum line. Flossing can be a hard habit to start, so try not to get frustrated. It will get easier over time, and the health benefits of flossing are many.
• What you eat and drink plays a major role in the health of your mouth and gums. Alcohol, tobacco, and overly sugary foods all increase your risk for oral health issues.
• Gum disease can affect children, too. Monitor your child’s diet and oral hygiene habits to minimize their risk of developing gum disease. For preventive maintenance, consider dental sealants for your child.

Common Treatments for Periodontal Disease

If you are dealing with periodontitis or gingivitis, your treatment options will depend largely on the severity of your gum disease. Minor, early stage gum disease can often be addressed by altering and improving oral hygiene habits. In more severe cases, antibiotics or in-office procedures may be necessary to eliminate gum disease and infection. Surgery is sometimes necessary to address the damage caused by severe gum disease.

• Infection is a major risk with gingivitis and periodontitis, so your dentist may prescribe antibiotics if you are dealing with advanced gum disease. Antibiotics help eliminate infection, which is a key step toward restoring the health of your mouth.
• Since gum disease degrades the structure around your teeth, surgery is sometimes necessary to repair damage to your gums and jawbone. In many cases, surgery helps spur the regrowth of your natural bone and tissue.
• Laser treatment provides a safe, effective way for your dentist to contour and reshape soft tissue. We’re pleased to offer laser treatment to patients at our dental clinic in downtown Calgary.
• Sometimes, gum disease leads to lost teeth. Replacing lost teeth is important to maintaining strong oral health, and dental implants are one popular option for replacing teeth that are lost to gum disease.

The best way to deal with gum disease is to address it before it can even get started. That means keeping a regular schedule of brushing, flossing, and rinsing, along with attending your regular dental checkup and cleaning. If your gum disease requires more significant treatment, we’re here to help. The experienced team at Century Park Dental knows periodontics, and we offer the treatment you need to return your gums to great health.

Century Park Dental is a general dentistry practice and all dental treatment is provided by a general dentist.