The health of your gums and bone supporting your teeth is vital to maintain a functional and beautiful smile.

Periodontal (or gum) disease is an infection of the gums and bone that support the teeth caused by a build-up of plaque. The plaque contains bacteria which can damage the gums and supporting structures if not removed on a regular basis.

The early stages of gum disease is called Gingivitis. This is a reversible inflammation of the gums which is ordinarily treated by the removal of plaque and calculus via good oral hygiene habits (brushing and flossing). Where the plaque is not removed regularly, gingivitis can progress to a more chronic inflammation called periodontitis.

The severe form of periodontitis affects about 11% of people worldwide. In Australia, approximately 23% of adults have periodontitis and nearly 30% of indigenous Australian adults suffer from periodontitis.

Your immune system plays an important role in the onset and progression of gum disease. Habits that may alter your immune response include:

• Smoking
• Alcohol consumption
• Dietary pattern – high consumption of ultra-processed food
• Hygiene behaviours – lack of tooth-brushing
• Systemic conditions – diabetes and hypertension
• Obesity – obesity influences the immune response, since it causes chronic inflammation in your body. This inflammation makes obese individuals more susceptible to gum disease.

Periodontitis can lead to irreversible damage to the gums and supporting structures and gums may recede from the teeth. If both the gums and bone recede, teeth can become loose and can eventually be lost. Once periodontal disease advances to more advanced stages, professional intervention is necessary to prevent its progress.

Regular dental check-ups are important so that periodontal disease and other problems may be detected and treated in the early stages.

The management of gum disease is determined by the stage of the disease, but generally involves cleaning and disinfection of the soft tissues surrounding the teeth. In advanced stages, periodontists may perform surgical procedures to assist treatment outcomes. Periodontal procedures may include scaling and careful root cleaning, periodontal surgery, the placement of dental implants, bone and gum grafting, crown lengthening, gum lifts and other cosmetic gum surgery.

The cost of periodontal treatment is determined by each patient’s individual requirements. At Healthy Bite Dental, all patients receive a detailed treatment plan and estimate of fees prior to any treatment commencing.