Gum Disease & Therapy
At Oakmount Dental in South Burnaby, our dentists help guide our patients in ways to prevent and treat periodontal (gum) disease.
Request AppointmentAbout Gum Disease
Gum (periodontal) disease is caused by an infection in the supporting gum tissue. This includes the teeth, gums, gingiva, alveolar bone, cementum, and the periodontal ligament.
Poor oral hygiene, smoking, and certain systemic diseases that enable plaque build-up are all factors that can affect the likelihood of gum disease.
Gum Disease & Your Overall Health
Gum disease affects more than just oral health. Left unchecked, it can cause other serious issues such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes - all of which can impact overall health and well-being.
Stages of Gum Disease
It can be challenging to catch periodontal disease in its early stages as it is hard to detect. Many people only become aware of it after it has developed beyond the initial stage.
Untreated, gum disease typically progresses through the following stages:
- Gingivitis
The first stage of gum disease is gingivitis. Gingivitis is tender, inflamed, and possibly bleeding gums due to a build-up of plaque and toxic by-products.
- Periodontitis
Plaque, which hardens over time, becomes tartar. An accumulation of plaque and tartar can work to loosen the gums, causing them to recede. Small spaces form between the teeth and gums which eventually fill with bacteria and pus. This further irritates the gums, which leads to inflammation and bleeding. Some moderate bone loss may develop.
- Advanced Periodontitis
At this stage, the deterioration of the gums, bone, and ligament affect tooth support. Without treatment, the teeth affected may loosen to the point of falling out. More severe bone loss may occur.
Gum Disease Treatment
Depending on the severity of the condition, the treatment methods vary. Recommendations for preventative therapy will be given if the disease is in the early stages.
Otherwise, your treatment will fall into one of the following categories:
- Non-Surgical Gum Therapy
If a patient presents with a mild case of gum disease, they can be treated with non-surgical gum therapy. This is a process performed by a dental hygienist to thoroughly clean and scrape away any plaque and tartar that has formed around or below the gum line. The hygienist will also remove residual plaque from the surface with a process known as scaling and root planing.
- Surgical Gum Therapy
More progressive forms of periodontal disease may require invasive surgical treatments in order to counter the effects. Some of the types of surgical gum therapy include flap surgery, guided tissue regeneration, tissue grafting, and bone grafting.
- Post-Treatment Maintenance
It's crucial to practice good hygiene and preventative measures to maintain your progress and control any recurrence of periodontal disease.
Our team at Oakmount Dental advise that you have regular exams and preventative therapy quarterly after the completion of your treatment.
Now Accepting New Patients
Contact Oakmount Dental today to book your first appointment.
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Hours of Operation
- Monday:12:00 pm - 08:00 pm
- Tuesday:08:00 am - 05:00 pm
- Wednesday:12:00 pm - 08:00 pm
- Thursday:08:00 am - 05:00 pm
- Friday:08:00 am - 04:00 pm
- Saturday:Closed
- Sunday:Closed