Gum Treatment

The inevitable outcome of uncontrolled gum disease is tooth loss. Many of these teeth do not suffer from decay or fractures. They are either extracted because they are too loose and cause pain when eating or they can even drop out on their own. Gum treatment will be able save many of these teeth.

Bleeding from gums is one of the first few signs of gum disease. Many patients can experience bleeding on brushing or eating. In severe cases, bleeding can occur spontaneously.

Due to the build-up of food and bacteria under the gums, patients with gum disease often complain of bad breath. Sometimes, friends or family members can detect this problem as well. Successful treatment of gum disease can eliminate the problem of bad breath.

Untreated gum disease can allow bacteria to enter our blood stream and affect our health. Research had shown that patients with gum disease have increased risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, pre-term birth etc. Hence it is important to have gum disease treated.

1. Relevant x-rays will be taken and comprehensive examination by our qualified specialists.
2. Our specialists will then discuss your pre-existing dental condition and treatment required to save your own teeth.
3. Discussion of treatment plan including duration of treatment, phases of treatment, cost as well as maintenance protocol will be done.

1. 1. Specialists will perform the initial gum treatment using ultrasonic scalers and fine instruments.
   2. Instructions and technique for maintenance of good oral hygiene is given.
   3. Local anaesthesia may be required to ensure treatment that is pain-free.

1. Gum specialist (periodontist) will be able to perform definitive gum treatment when phase II is required.
2. In phase II, gum specialist will perform specialized treatment that will grow and regenerate bone and gums around teeth.
3. With the new bone and gum tissue that is regenerated, the tooth will gain more bone support and will be less mobile.

1. After gum disease has been successfully treated, gum specialist will perform follow-up care to ensure that gum disease will not recur.
2. Professional cleaning and careful monitoring will be done during the follow-up care.

1. Most gum treatments are pain-free. In fact, most of our patients do not required painkillers after treatment.

1. Gum treatment that is left untreated will lead to following:Gum recession
   1. Shaky teeth
   2. Bad breath
   3. Bleeding gums
   4. Spacing between teeth
   5. Shifting of teeth
2. The final stages of gum disease presents with pain and tooth loss.

1. After gum disease has been successfully treated, gum specialist will perform follow-up care to ensure that gum disease will not recur.
2. Professional cleaning and careful monitoring will be done during the follow-up care.
3. Lack of follow-up care will lead to recurrence of gum disease.

1. Injured gums, resulting from bacterial infections, bleed easily from the pockets. Through this pocket, bacteria can gain entry into the blood stream and this can give rise to effects on other parts of the body and affect general health. It is uncommon knowledge that patients with advanced gum disease actually have a large surface area of infection and inflammation. In fact, research has shown that the surface area over which bacteria can enter the blood stream is equivalent to the total surface area represented by two hands.
2. Bacteria can either enter the blood stream directly, or they can send chemicals into the blood stream. These harmful substances can then be transported to the various organs in the body. For example, harmful chemicals produced by the bacteria can increase the insulin resistance of diabetic patients and worsen the diabetic condition. It is also well established by the World Health Organization (WHO) that diabetes can lead to worsening of gum disease.

Why do I get more bleeding from the gums and have shaky teeth during pregnancy?

1. Mothers-to-be often suffer from severe gum bleeding and even dramatic gum swellings. This is due to the increase in estrogen and progesterone levels during pregnancy. These changes in hormonal levels can lead to gum disease.
2. Unknown to most, when a pregnant mother has gum disease, the bacteria from the oral cavity can enter the blood stream as the gum are weaker and tend to bleed. These bacteria will travel in the blood stream and enter the placenta. Upon arriving at the placenta, the bacteria will pass through the placenta in great numbers to reach the baby. Such an infection of the placenta can lead to pre-term low birth weight babies. Such a risk is as high as 7 times when compared to a pregnant mother with treated gum disease. When a mother gives birth to a pre-term low birth weight baby, the baby is more prone to medical problems like breathing problems, heart problems, learning difficulties and many other health issues.
3. Research has shown that gum treatment by gum specialists can reduce the risk of pre-term low birth weight babies. One research report done in University of North Carolina, USA, had shown that mothers-to-be who had their gum disease treated had the same low risk for pre-term low birth weight babies when compared to mothers-to-be who had healthy gums.
4. Hence, it is imperative to have the gum disease treated early during the pregnancy. It is advisable to have treatment done during the second trimester. In fact, it is recommended to have a gum check by a specialist before trying for a baby to avoid the above-mentioned problems, as prevention is better than cure. Good oral hygiene practice is also important to minimize the amount of bacteria residing in the mouth. Flossing at least once a day and brushing twice a day will go a long way in preventing gum disease and cavities.