If you have been told you have gum disease, you are not alone!
Many adults Malaysia currently have some form of gum disease. Gum diseases, or periodontal diseases range from simple gum inflammation to serious disease that results in major damage to the soft tissue and bone that support the teeth. In the worst cases, teeth are lost.
Unfortunately, gum disease usually develops painlessly so you do not notice the damage it is doing. Mild gum disease may cause gum bleeding especially during brushing your teeth and bad breathe. However, bacteria are sometimes more active and this is what makes your gums sore. This can lead to gum abscesses (gum boil), and pus may ooze from around the teeth. Over a number of years, the bone supporting the teeth can be lost. If the disease is left untreated for a long time, treatment can become more difficult.
Your dentist will usually clean your teeth thoroughly to remove the scale. You will also be shown how to remove plaque successfully yourself, cleaning all the surfaces of your teeth thoroughly and effectively. A good oral-care routine at home, with brushing and interdental cleaning, is the most important thing you can do to help prevent gum disease getting worse.
However, if your gum disease is the more severe one, your dentist may decide to carry out further cleaning of the roots of the teeth, to make sure that the last pockets of bacteria are removed. This is known as root planing. Some chronic periodontal disease patient may be prescribed medication such as antibiotics as an adjunctive treatment.