Hi! I’m Dr Kim Nguyen, an associate dentist here at Pitt St Dental Centre in Sydney CBD.
Last Tuesday, I had a consultation with a new patient, Roberto from Gosford. It has been a while since he saw a dentist due to a traumatic experience during his childhood. Now in his fifties, the lack of dental visits unfortunately led him to the development of gum disease.
Gum disease can have various causes and factors involved, making it a complex condition. And it is different for every patient. Sometimes, certain medical conditions or medications can increase the risk of developing gum disease and it’s vital for us to collaborate with your doctor to customise a plan to reduce your risks of gum disease.
A common cause of gum disease is due to the buildup of bacteria which initiates an immune response. Our bodies are naturally designed to repel these bacteria, and in the process, the gums and bones begin to recede, as an inflammatory response to the offending microbes.
Now, you may be wondering, how do we tackle gum disease? Our approach to addressing gum disease starts with a comprehensive examination that includes taking radiographs to determine the cause and extent of the disease. However, equally important is patient education. Our role is to provide you with comprehensive guidance on meticulous oral hygiene instructions, ensuring you have the best techniques for brushing and flossing. Because ultimately, the key to maintaining healthy gums is reducing the presence of bacteria.
In terms of the treatment, it typically involves a non-surgical procedure called root planing or deep cleaning. During this process, we numb the area and meticulously clean beneath the gums, removing those hard calculus deposits and plaque on the root surface. By cleaning the bacteria, we are initially the healing process to stablise the gum disease. However, in cases where certain areas exhibit resistance to treatment, gum surgery may be necessary.
So to sum it up, the best strategy against gum disease is, simply, prevention. Maintain a good regime for your oral hygiene, have regular dental cleans, and live a healthy lifestyle. These measures can significantly diminish your risk of gum disease.
I hope you found this video useful. If you are experiencing gum problems, don’t worry, we can definitely look after you here, and your comfort is our priority.
Simply call us at +61 2 8000 1832, complete the booking form on our website, or send us a direct message on social media. We will be in touch to help you organise your smile consultation. See you in the next video.
