• Cleaning and Hygiene
• Gum & Periodontal Disease

Decay and gum disease are the two main causes of tooth loss in Australian adults.

By attending Bright Star Dental regularly with visits to our hygiene team, then early diagnosis and a preventive care approach will allow these conditions to be treated and any ill-effects reversed.

If plaque is allowed to accumulate you will find that your gums will become red, swollen and may bleed easily. This condition is known as gingivitis, and is the first stage of gum disease. Caused by the buildup of plaque and bacteria, this inflammation is your body's natural response to their attack on your gum tissues. While your body fights these bacteria, your gums become seriously affected.

In the early stages we can reverse this condition by regular hygiene visits and by also asking you to pay extra careful attention when cleaning at home. You may think that a sign of blood from the gums means that you should avoid cleaning this area, but with gentle attention with your toothbrush and flossing, we can help reverse this condition.

Look for these symptoms of gum disease (gingivitis) and make an appointment to see our hygiene immediately:

• Gums that are red, tender, swollen and/or bleeding
• Pain when eating and chewing
• Sensitive teeth
• Loose teeth
• Constant bad breath
• Receding gums

If gingivitis is left untreated for a period of time this condition may progress to an infection called periodontitis. As this infection progresses, the bone and gum tissues are destroyed. Teeth often become loose and may drift from their original position and you may suffer from pain and constant bad breath. The most severe form of this disease includes extensive bone and tissue loss resulting in the loss of teeth.

If you seek attention early, gum disease is treatable. It is also important to know that gum disease has been linked to other health problems such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes; so if you think that you may be suffering from either of the listed conditions then you should seek our immediate attention.