As all good dental patients know, it’s important to brush twice a day. But why? Many people think a good dental hygiene routine is all about preventing dental decay, but in older adults, it’s much more about prolonging the life of the teeth through the prevention of gum disease.

1. Gum Disease:
The Silent Enemy
Elite Perio

2. As all good dental patients know, it’s important to brush twice a day. But why? Many people think a
good dental hygiene routine is all about preventing dental decay, but in older adults, it’s much more
about prolonging the life of the teeth through the prevention of gum disease.
Gum disease is a silent enemy. It is long and slow and once it is established can be very hard to get
rid of. It is caused by the same bacteria that cause decay. The bacteria are harmless in themselves
and live in the mouth. They feed on the sugars in food and drinks, and when they feed, they give off
acids. It’s these acids that do the damage.

3. There are two stages to gum disease: gingivitis, and periodontitis. Let’s take a look at them now.
Gingivitis
In its early stage, the acids of gum disease inflame and irritate the gums. They become red and
swollen and can bleed easily.
Periodontitis
When the gums swell, they can pull away from the teeth, creating pockets between the gums and
roots of the teeth under the gums. Food can also get trapped in these pockets and start to rot,
causing infections. As the body tries to fight these infections, the toxins given off, plus the acids
from the bacterial plaque start to break down the bones and fibres holding the teeth in place, and
they can become loose. The gums start to recede, and the teeth look longer.

4. Treating gum disease
Treating the early stages of gum disease can be as simple as diligent dental hygiene routines, coupled
with regular deep cleanings with the dental hygienist. Periodontitis requires more help, often from
dentists in Perth with extra qualifications in this area of dentistry.
The dentist may lift the gums to clean thoroughly inside the pockets. If the bones have been eaten
away at, they may also be smoothed to reduce the areas in which dental bacteria can hide away. The
gums are then put back so that they hug the teeth snugly again, stopping dental bacteria from
sneaking underneath again. Other treatments such as bone grafts and soft tissue regenerations are
also used.

5. SOURCES:
Elite Perio - https://www.eliteperio.com.au/gum-disease-in-perth
Bleeding gums - https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/bleeding-gums-and-dental-bleeding
Gum disease - https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/gum-disease