Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, affects up to 85% of the population in Singapore. There are different stages of gum disease, and it is one of the most common causes of teeth being lost.

Gum disease starts as an infection in the gums and can progress painlessly into the surrounding jaw bones. When the bone loss progresses to an advanced stage, the tooth or teeth involved starts to become shaky, and chances to salvage these teeth become very slim.

There is also scientific research to suggest that having an unhealthy mouth leads to systemic health risks, such as heart disease, diabetes, pre-term labour, auto-immune diseases and inflammatory diseases. This means that gum disease does not only affect the mouth, but it could adversely affect one’s long-term general health.

Gum disease progresses painlessly. This means that you may not realise that there is an infection actually going on in the gums and maybe surrounding bone.

One of the earliest signs of gum disease is bleeding gums. Healthy gums do not bleed when you brush and floss. There could also be bad breath (halitosis), caused by the bacteria harbored in the plaque and tartar deposits on the affected teeth. One common visual sign is redness of the gums. Unhealthy gums can look irregular and “beefy” red.also known as periodontal disease, affects up to 85% of the population in Singapore.

If the above early signs are ignored, the disease could progress to a more severe state where the teeth become longer in height (due to receding gums), become shaky or even frank pus discharge. Deep pockets in the gums progressively develop as the jaw bone gets further and further resorbed. These deep pockets harbour the harmful bacteria which cause a chronic infection in your mouth. These bacteria also can penetrate into the blood stream and cause other systemic infections.

Our fully trained American Board certified Periodontist will comprehensively assess all the teeth present and document a baseline condition of the STAGE and GRADE of the gum disease. The assessment will include high-definition X-rays and scans.

After the assessment, a customized treatment plan will be formulated based on the severity of the disease. The plan will include:

1. Initial Periodontal Treatment – Deep Cleanings and Full Mouth Disinfection
2. Assessment of response to initial treatment
3. Second Stage Treatment – Gum Surgery and Gum Grafts
4. Further Assessment of Outcomes
5. Complex Reconstruction – Bone Grafts (Augmentation) and Dental Implants
6. Long-term Periodic Follow-up

There are many risk factors for gum disease. After resolution of the disease, it is crucial that you follow-up periodically with our Periodontist, to ensure that your periodontal condition remains stable.