The best way to prevent gum disease is to brush, floss or use interdental brushes daily as well as to have regular professional examinations and cleanings. Using electric brushes make cleaning ones teeth so much easier and quicker. Other aids also exist like the Phillips Air Floss which uses air and sometimes medication is used with water to blast out food debris and plaque between teeth or implants. Unfortunately, even with the most careful home dental care, people can still develop some form of gum disease. Once this disease starts, professional intervention is necessary to prevent or slow its progress.

Important factors affecting the health of gums include

• Poor oral hygiene
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Stress
• Clenching and grinding teeth
• Medication
• Poor nutrition

Periodontal (gum) disease is diagnosed when bacteria exist below the gum line and the attachment between the gum and tooth is lost.

This disease is silent, chronic and often painless and if left untreated will cause teeth to loosen and finally be lost. One of the first signs for the patient to be aware of, are bleeding gums.

The latest conservative gum therapy use ultrasonic and hand instruments to gently disinfect diseased tissues from around the tooth and inside the periodontal pocket. This treatment interrupts the bacterial destruction of the tissues and bone, giving the gum pockets a chance to heal. While surgery may still be indicated for severely advanced periodontal cases, ultrasonic deep cleaning and using hand instruments is a more conservative, effective, and comfortable option in mild to moderate situations.