Gum disease is often overlooked when it comes to dental care. This is because the early stages are usually painless or the signs are not always obvious. If you are unsure about whether changes in your gum tissue should be a cause for concern, always check with a dentist. Calgary practice Westhills Dental Care is here for regular checkups and appointments relating to gum disease. 

Referred to as periodontal disease, this condition is one of the main reasons for tooth loss for adults. Plaque bacteria is the root of the ailment. In earlier stages, it is painless. However, it can develop quickly if left untreated. As with all dental conditions, the earlier it is spotted the more chance it can be treated before serious damage occurs. 

The initial signs of gum disease is gingivitis. This is characterized by a tenderness in the gums and sometimes bleeding, redness and swelling. Usually this can be mitigated with a mouthwash to reduce the inflammation but if you experience these signs you should still visit a dentist. In Calgary, Westhills Dental Care is available for emergency dentist appointments. 

A later stage of this is referred to as periodontitis. This impacts the bone and teeth. It can lead to the gum separating from the teeth and can severely damage the bone. If this is still left untreated, it can advance to further structural damage to the bone and surrounding tissue. The gums will recede further and can lead to further bone loss and lost teeth.

At our practice in Calgary, dentist appointments are tailored to ease your concerns. Your dentist will examine you for signs of gum disease during each standard checkup, which is why it is important to visit us regularly. If treatment is needed, there are some non-surgical routes such as scaling (to remove deposits from the teeth) and root planing (which smoothes out the root surfaces so reattachment of the gum to the tooth can be performed).

Surgical options include something called a gingivectomy, which involves removing gum that extends more than necessary, which would otherwise provide a space for bacteria to grow. Other ways can be cutting out part of the gum to access the root to remove calculus and plaque before securing it back into place. 

Book an appointment today with a dentist in Calgary.