Blog

You and Your Gum Health: Understanding Gum Disease

If your gums are puffy, tender or bleed when you floss, than you might be among the 20% of Australians who have moderate gum disease or worse. Gum disease, which in serious cases is called periodontal disease, starts as the relatively mild gingivitis. Many people are surprised to learn that gingivitis is an infection caused by bacteria and that they probably have it.

The good news is that the early stages of gum disease are within your control. Working with your Melbourne dentsist, you can fight back against gum disease, even if it has moved on to advanced stages!

Symptoms of Gum Disease

Symptoms of gum disease vary according to the stage of the disease. The initial stage of gum disease is gingivitis. This is an inflammation of the gums that usually occurs because of bacteria accumulating on the teeth. This turns into plaque, which then induces gingivitis.

Gingivitis is the stage of periodontal disease that is reversible and it can often be treated at home by improved dental habits, or at the dentist’s office by regularly scheduled appointments including cleaning.