← Return to Help Centre

Gum disease

 
 

Most of us tend to focus on our teeth when we think of oral care, but our gums are just as important.

Gum disease, if left untreated, can cause a variety of more serious problems that are easily preventable. Gums don’t regrow if badly damaged, so it’s important to see your dentist as soon as possible if you’re worried about the health of your mouth.

 
 

What is gum disease?

Gum disease occurs when a build-up of bacteria (plaque) in our mouths leads to an infection. Also known as gingivitis or periodontal disease, gum disease can cause a variety of issues of the gums, teeth and jaw bones.

Gingivitis is most common in adults and is very treatable, both at the dentist and at home. In fact, one of the best ways to fight gum disease is to brush your teeth, tongue, and gumline twice a day, as well as using techniques such as flossing and mouthwash.

Periodontal disease is more serious, caused when the plaque in your mouth hardens into tartar and pushes your gums away from your teeth – allowing more bacteria to grow beneath the gumline. This can only be treated by a dental hygienist, and it's vital that you act early to prevent further damage.

 

Symptoms of gum disease

  • Red, tender gums

  • Bleeding gums while brushing or flossing

  • Receding gums

  • Persistent bad breath

  • Teeth becoming loose or separated

  • Biting feels wrong, i.e. teeth aren’t fitting together properly

  • Pus forming between teeth

  • Dentures no longer fit properly

  • Pain when chewing

  • Sensitivity in teeth that wasn’t there previously.

 

What causes gum disease?

Early-stage gum disease – gingivitis – is caused by unchecked bacterial growth in the mouth. This plaque build-up can increase your risk of infection, which may lead to inflammation and tenderness.

If gingivitis is not treated, and the plaque in your mouth hardens into tartar, the disease may advance to periodontal and then advanced periodontal disease, which is when you may start to see more serious symptoms.

This hardening of plaque into tartar can cause significant damage to your mouth by destroying the gums around your teeth. Should this occur, pockets may form around your teeth which exposes them to further infection, which in turns can harm your teeth and jaw bones as well as the connective tissue holding your teeth in place.

 

Factors that increase the risk of gum disease

  • Smoking

  • Over-consumption of sugar and alcohol

  • Pregnancy

  • Diabetes

  • Grinding your teeth

  • Broken fillings

  • Compromised immune system

  • Certain medications that impact the immune system or production of saliva

  • Pre-existing oral health conditions such as large fillings or dentures

  • Genetics, i.e. gum disease runs in the family.

 

Treating gum disease at home

The best way to treat gum disease is to prevent it in the first place. That means brushing twice a day for two minutes at a time, using a plaque-removing fluoride toothpaste, flossing after brushing or between meals, and using an antibacterial mouthwash at least once per day.

If your gums aren’t used to being brushed so much or flossed, some bleeding may occur in the first few days. This is OK. However, if they keep bleeding for at least a week, this may be a symptom of gingivitis and requires the attention of a dental hygienist.

Rinsing your mouth once a day with a salt water solution may also help treat inflammation that has already occurred.

 

When to see a dentist

Gum disease can occur very slowly over time, making it hard to notice. As a rule of thumb, we would recommend getting a dental checkup at least once or twice a year so we can keep an eye on your gums for you. If you are an at-risk person, it’s best to come in more frequently - every three to six months.

Additionally, if you experience any of these symptoms, it’s best to visit us as quickly as possible:

  • Your gums hurt or bleed for more than a week.

  • One or more of your teeth hurt.

  • Your gums bleed after flossing regularly for more than a few days.

  • You’re experiencing persistent bad breath.

  • Your jaw aches.

  • Your teeth feel suddenly more sensitive than they did before.

  • You’re pregnant (pregnancy can exacerbate some dental issues).

To book your appointment, call Kowhai Dental on 09 430 0707 or click here to book online.

 

What to expect

When you first arrive at Kowhai Dental, we’ll need to take time to better understand you and any symptoms you have been experiencing recently. It will help to make things faster if you consider these questions before arriving:

  • Are you an at-risk person (i.e. smoking, pregnancy, diabetes, as listed above)?

  • What symptoms have you been experiencing?

  • Have you had any dental treatments previously, major or minor?

Once we’ve had a quick chat about your medical history, we’ll examine your teeth and gums, and may ask for an x-ray to help us spot anything that’s hiding – don’t worry, this can be done right here in the office, and you won’t need to go to a hospital for it.

If we suspect your mouth is feeling the effects of early gingivitis, we’ll likely recommend a cleaning. This will involve a simple scale and polish, which will remove tartar build up and is usually quite a quick procedure.

In the case of more advanced gum disease, we may recommend alternative treatments – such as using special tools to remove deposits from the periodontal pockets.

 

Cost of treatment

The cost of treating gum disease depends on the severity of the condition.

  • A gum health evaluation starts at $52.

  • Cleaning, scaling and polishing starts at $124.

  • Cleaning and a full x-ray starts at $183.

  • Children under the age of 17 years may be free. Talk to us today to find out if this applies to your family.

But we know that affording the dentist is not always easy.

Learn more about our payment options.

 
 
 
 

 

Got questions

  • There is no set timeframe for the development of gum disease, however it is often a very slow process. Typically it begins with gingivitis – inflammation of the gums - which may go unnoticed at first.

    Those who are at risk may develop later stages of gum disease more swiftly, but this will likely still take a long time.

    It is always best to visit the dentist once or twice a year to stay on top of your oral health. Visiting regularly will help us spot issues as they develop.

  • 1. Gingivitis: The most common stage, which may even go away by itself. Typically characterised by swollen or inflamed gums, redness in the gums, and bleeding.

    2. Periodontitis: This second stage will show the same symptoms as gingivitis, but may also include receding gumlines, spaces developing between teeth, loose teeth, pus between teeth, and persistent bad breath.

    3. Advanced periodontitis: This final stage is the most serious, showing more severe versions of the symptoms that occur in periodontitis. Periodontal pockets here can become as deep as a centimetre, and may cause irreversible damage to your teeth requiring them to be removed.

  • Tender, inflamed or bleeding gums can be treated by eliminating the source of the infection – bacteria. Regular brushing, flossing and mouthwashing as well as a trip to your dental hygienist can all help tackle plaque.

    Receded gumlines cannot be reversed, as gums do not regrow. That said, there are some surgery options for worst-case-scenario situations where receded gumlines may cause more severe symptoms if left as they are.

  • 1. Calcium

    2. Vitamin C

    3. Vitamin D

    4. Phosphorous

    5. Vitamin A

    However, before taking any new dietary supplements or changing your eating and drinking habits, we recommend talking to a medical professional for personalised advice.

  • While no food or drink items ‘cause’ gum disease, there are many products out there that can increase your risk by either feeding bacteria or damaging your teeth.

    — Sugar is the main culprit, as bacteria love to feed on sugar.

    — Starches from white bread, baked goods, and similar items not made with wholegrains can also feed bacteria, as their carbs can be converted into sugars. Try to move to wholegrains such as brown bread or pasta.

    — Acidic juices such as orange or lemon should also be consumed in moderation as their acid can be harmful to teeth.

    — Tea, coffee, and alcohol are also substances to consume in moderation. These diuretics limit the production of saliva, your body’s natural defence against mouth bacteria.

  • To help fight against plaque, it’s best to use a toothpaste containing fluoride. While there is some misinformation out there about the benefits of fluoride, it has been shown to have positive effects on dental health.

    Fluoride can strengthen the surface of your teeth, helping them fight bacteria. It can also harm bacteria themselves, reducing the risk of gum disease.

    For more information on fluoride, visit health.govt.nz

  • After treatment, the symptoms of early gum disease should start to clear within a few days. By one to two weeks, you will likely be mostly if not entirely healed.

    More serious symptoms such as teeth that have moved or gums that have receded may take longer to heal, if they ever do so.

  • Tender of inflamed gums can be painful when brushed, leading some people to naturally avoid brushing in those areas.

    However, it’s important that you keep brushing your teeth regularly as this can help prevent the problem from getting worse.

    If you are suffering pain when brushing, try brushing more gently. Brushing does not need to be a scrub, but rather a massage up and down the tooth. If you use an electric brush, you may need to switch it off and just use the bristles manually.

    Flossing and using antibacterial mouthwash can also help keep teeth clean in areas of the mouth that have become inflamed.

  • A large number of women experience some degree of gingivitis during pregnancy. It is not fully known why this occurs, however it is believed to be related to fluctuating levels of both estrogen and progesterone hormones.

    These changing bodily chemicals serve an important role in developing a healthy baby, but can indirectly lead to increased chances of gum inflammation by influencing the bacteria that live there – and causing that inflammatory response as a result.