If you have sore, bleeding, or irritated gums you are not alone. In fact, according to the Canadian Dental Association, seven out of ten Canadians will develop gum disease at some point in their lives. Imagine feeling confident with how your smile looks and feels without the pain or discomfort of gum disease. At Dr. K. Ashraf Dentistry, our mission is to make that a reality for you.

What is Gum Disease?

Millions of bacteria live in your mouth. Many of them are extremely helpful to you. They help protect your oral health and are important for starting the digestive process. That said, not all oral bacteria are helpful. Some feed off the food you consume, produce lactic acid, and cause plaque to develop. Eventually, these bacteria can cause infections in your gums, jaw, and teeth. These infections in your gums are known as gum disease or periodontitis.

What Causes Gum Disease?

Gum disease can happen for a variety of reasons. While a good oral care regimen is the most important part of preventing gum disease, it can still occur even for patients that brush and floss every day. The reason for this is that normal brushing and flossing simply can’t reach all the areas where plaque develops. As plaque hardens into tartar, it causes your gums to become inflamed and infected over time.

What are the Symptoms

Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults and is easy to overlook in its early stages. Early symptoms include red, bleeding, or swollen gums. Left untreated it can lead to pain while chewing, a receding gum line, loose or shifted teeth, and tooth loss. The great news is that gum disease is extremely treatable. Dr. Ashraf has a variety of solutions to restore the health of your gums.

How We Treat Gum Disease

At our Waterloo dental office, we know that every case of gum disease requires a unique treatment plan. We provide personalized treatments, including:

• Scaling and Root Planing: Scaling and root planing can usually treat cases of mild or moderate gum disease. During this procedure, Dr. Ashraf will remove hardened plaque and bacteria from under your gum line, and then smooth out tooth roots to prevent bacteria from clinging to the newly cleaned area. Our dentist may also place a slow-release antibiotic below your gums to discourage bacteria growth.
• Gingivectomy: In more severe cases of gum disease, scaling and root planing may not be enough. Gum removal surgery, or gingivectomies, can remove infected tissue or reshape gum tissue. This treatment allows thorough plaque removal and can help encourage healing after gum disease.
• Gingival Plastic Surgery: Also known as esthetic gingival plastic surgery, this treatment can help restore the shape and health of your gums after periodontal disease treatment. This treatment may also be recommended for patients who feel their smiles are too “gummy”.

Schedule Your Free Consultation

One of the most important steps to preventing and treating gum disease is regular bi-annual check-ups with Dr. Ashraf. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We are delighted to answer any questions you have and are happy to schedule your next appointment. Why wait? Schedule your visit with us today.