Gum disease Northern Beaches

As a leading dentist in Mona Vale, we are here to help you prevent and treat gum disease to protect your oral health.
Healthy gums are key to a confident, long-lasting smile, and we work with you to prevent and treat gum disease before it becomes a problem. Our caring team provides personalised support so your smile stays natural and healthy.

Gum disease

Gum disease (periodontal disease) is often painless until it’s advanced, making it a “silent killer.” It destroys the gums and jawbone, eventually leading to tooth loss. Early treatment is crucial, as gum loss is irreversible, and the infection can spread to vital organs. Common signs include bleeding gums, bad breath, gingivitis, and receding gums.

Treatment options range from deep cleaning to surgery, but Smile Doctor offers a less painful combination therapy using lasers, ozone, and antibiotics, often completed in one session. Regular dental check-ups are key to preventing gum disease.

Preventative Program

At Smile Doctor, we take pride in our comprehensive preventive program, designed with the belief that prevention is always better than cure—leading to less cost and less trauma. We prioritize patient comfort and offer a comfort guarantee during hygiene visits, encouraging regular check-ups. Our team also provides exceptional care for children, helping to build positive habits early on to prevent costly and traumatic dental issues later in life.

How to Brush

There are a few different methods considered acceptable when brushing your teeth. Whatever method you use, take the time to brush thoroughly with a recommended toothpaste every day. We recommend the following method to help maintain dental health and easily get rid of plaque

  1. Place the head of your toothbrush beside your teeth with the brush tips at a 45 degree angle against your gum.
  2. Move the brush back and forth in short, semi-circle strokes several times.
  3. Brush the outer surfaces of each tooth, top and bottom, keeping the bristles angled against your gum.
  4. Use the same method on the inside surfaces of all the teeth, still using short back and forth strokes.
  5. It is important to brush the chewing surfaces of the teeth as well.
  6. You should not forget your tongue, brushing it will help freshen your breath and clean your mouth by removing bacteria.
How to Floss

An essential part of your routine, flossing removes plaque from between the teeth, areas where gum disease can begin. It can sometimes feel a little awkward to floss but following the tips below will help you feel more comfortable in maintaining your oral health.

  1. Wind roughly 20cm of floss around middle fingers of each hand. Hold each end of the floss between your thumbs and index fingers, leaving about 2-3cm of length between. Use your thumbs to direct the floss between your upper teeth.
  2. Keeping the floss nice and firm between fingers, use index finger to direct the floss between the lower teeth.
  3. Gently guide the floss between the teeth by using a zig zag motion. It is important to remember not to snap the floss between your teeth but use a smooth and flowing motion around each side of the tooth.
  4. Slide the floss up and down against your tooth surface and under the gum. This may feel awkward but it is important to get underneath the tooth to clean those areas.

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Any Questions?

What is Gum Disease and What Are the Different Stages?

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a common oral health condition and consists of an infection of the tissues surrounding your teeth caused by plaque and bacteria built up along the gumline. Gum disease can cause many oral issues, affecting the gums, bone, and supporting tissues of the teeth.

Gum disease is made up of two main stages.

  • Gingivitis – Is the first stage and is characterised by red, swollen, and bleeding gums. This is usually especially noticeable when brushing or flossing.
  • Periodontitis – Is the advanced stage of gum disease and is what occurs if gingivitis is not treated. This stage is irreversible and results in gum recession, bone loss, loose teeth, and even tooth loss if left untreated.

If you suspect that you have the early signs of gum disease, you must seek help as soon as possible. The Smile Doctor team can help identify gum disease early on and intervene before it has the chance to develop.

The answer is yes and also no. Gingivitis is very much curable, with professional treatment, thorough cleaning and overall good oral hygiene. However, if you let it progress into an advanced stage, becoming periodontitis, it is not curable. It can be controlled with treatment that largely focuses on stopping the progression of the disease, reducing inflammation, and preventing further damage to the gums and bone.

Maintaining strong oral hygiene habits and keeping up with regular dental visits is crucial to preventing the progression of gum disease. Think you might have early signs of gum disease? Don’t wait, take action now. The Smile Doctor team is here to catch it early and stop it in its tracks.

There isn’t necessarily a difference between the two, as gingivitis is instead the early stage of gum disease. This mild first stage is characterised by swollen, inflamed, and bleeding gums and is reversible with professional cleaning and strong oral hygiene. It can progress to periodontitis if left untreated, which is irreversible.

The right treatment for gum disease depends on its severity.

Early stages (gingivitis) can be managed with professional cleaning, good oral hygiene, and antibacterial mouthwash or medicated toothpaste. Advanced cases may require scaling and root planing (cleaning under the gums), antibiotics, laser therapy, surgery, or gum grafting. While periodontitis cannot be cured, it can be controlled long-term with proper care.

To maintain best practice, see your dentist or periodontist early (early detection = easier treatment), be consistent with regular 6 to 12-month check-ups, and consider looking into specialist care for moderate to severe cases.

Take control of your oral health today and book a dental check-up with the Smile Doctor team, and get the care you need to keep your gums healthy for life.

Even mild gingivitis can leave your gums red, swollen, and prone to bleeding, which can cause daily discomfort. However, if this isn’t addressed early, it will begin to progress to periodontitis, which is much more severe. This advanced stage leads to gum recession, bone and tissue damage, loose teeth, bad breath, painful chewing, and even tooth loss.

Gum disease is really something you need to attack as early as possible, while it is still reversible. If left untreated, it can cause tooth loss and has been linked to heart disease, stroke, diabetes complications, and low birth weight in pregnancy.

If you notice bleeding gums, bad breath, or gum recession, it’s important to seek treatment early. Smile Doctor offers effective, non-surgical solutions if gum disease is caught early on. Act today and put your oral health first!

Call us: 02 9979 1000