Kumho-dong Dental Clinic: Don't Neglect Gum Disease If You Want to Keep Your Natural Teeth Longer

Kumho-dong Dental Clinic: If you want to use your natural teeth for a long time,

Don't neglect gum disease.

Many people know that cavities should not be left untreated for a long time, but surprisingly, periodontal disease, commonly known as ‘gum disease’ where gums swell or bleed, tends to be taken lightly, often attributed to fatigue, stress, or minor injuries from eating. However, according to 2019 statistics from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, periodontitis and periodontal disease actually ranked first in the ‘Outpatient Frequent Illness Statistics’.

As such, periodontal disease, or gum disease, is a much more common ailment than you might think. However, because its initial symptoms appear temporarily and then disappear repeatedly, many cases lead to tooth extraction due to neglecting the seriousness of periodontal disease.

Gums play a crucial role in holding our teeth firmly in place, cushioning the impact when we chew food, and preventing bacteria from easily penetrating the tooth roots and nerves. When these gums develop a disease, bacterial penetration becomes easier, and the grip on the teeth weakens, causing them to loosen or fall out.

While various factors can cause tooth loss, periodontal disease, or gum disease, is an oral condition particularly common among individuals aged 40 and above, as tooth aging begins. Therefore, adopting habits to prevent periodontal disease from the onset of aging is truly important.

If you do not develop habits to prevent gum disease in advance, or if you neglect gum disease for a long time after it has occurred, your natural teeth may be damaged, and in the worst-case scenario, you might need to have them extracted and undergo implant surgery.

Periodontal disease, or gum disease, can be classified into gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis, which is the early stage of periodontal disease, is an inflammation that occurs in the gum area near the tooth-gum margin. When gingivitis progresses significantly, it becomes periodontitis, a stage where not only the gums but also the alveolar bone beneath the gums begins to dissolve.

It would be fortunate if one were to visit a dental clinic capable of gum treatment, like Kumho-dong Dental Clinic, and receive appropriate treatment at this stage. However, if this period is surpassed and it progresses to late-stage periodontitis, tartar would have already descended to the tooth roots, causing teeth to loosen, and in severe cases, teeth must be extracted.

The primary cause of periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, is plaque and tartar that have accumulated on the tooth surface and inside the gums over a long period. When we consume food, a bacterial film forms on the tooth surface where we chew. This bacterial film is plaque, and this film hardens when it mixes with saliva and various microscopic foreign substances in the mouth.

The problem is that even with meticulous brushing, toothbrush bristles cannot penetrate 100% between teeth, and the brush cannot reach deep-seated teeth like molars or wisdom teeth, making it difficult to remove plaque and tartar properly. Therefore, regularly undergoing scaling treatment to remove accumulated plaque and hardened tartar is the shortest path to preventing gum disease.

If periodontal disease has already progressed, appropriate treatment is necessary to prevent the inflammation from worsening. If you regularly experience gum pain or your gums bleed every time you brush, you should suspect that you might be exposed to gum disease.

Especially if the condition is already quite advanced, symptoms such as receding gums exposing teeth, loose teeth, widening gaps between teeth and gums, severe bad breath, and visible tartar may appear. At this point, there might be little time left for treatment, or the condition might be beyond intervention, so treatment should not be delayed any further.

Nevertheless, if left untreated, in severe cases, the alveolar bone can be absorbed and lost. If the alveolar bone is lost, implant placement itself becomes difficult, so caution is advised.

The treatment method for periodontal disease varies depending on the stage. In the early stages of periodontal disease, treatment is possible simply by effectively removing tartar and plaque through scaling. If it has progressed beyond the early stage, procedures such as root planing and periodontal curettage are necessary to remove tartar that has invaded the tooth roots inside the gums, along with inflammatory tissue.

However, if alveolar bone destruction is severe and gum disease treatment is deemed difficult with conventional periodontal treatment methods, gum surgery is performed, involving gum incision, removal of inflammatory tissue, and then suturing the gums back.

Gum treatment is considered a highly challenging dental specialty. Therefore, it is crucial to choose a Kumho-dong dental clinic carefully, ensuring that it has medical staff with a deep understanding of gums and extensive experience and skill in treating gum disease. A thorough examination and personalized treatment are essential for a good prognosis.

At Barunyoung Dental Clinic in Kumho-dong, a specialist in integrated dentistry, equipped with professional knowledge, experience, and know-how in all dental treatments, provides direct 1:1 responsible care from the initial consultation to post-treatment management. Furthermore, we strive to avoid overtreatment by meticulously observing the patient's condition with precision diagnostic equipment such as 3D-CT and then proceeding with customized treatment tailored to the patient.

Especially for those who hesitate to receive dental treatment due to fear of pain, Barunyoung Dental Clinic in Kumho-dong applies a 3-step pain-free anesthesia system. After applying topical and gargle anesthesia, digital pain-free anesthesia is administered, followed by concentrated anesthesia on the treatment area once more, thereby reducing the burden of pain.

Furthermore, we understand that dental treatment water, unlike regular drinking water, needs to be cleaner for patients to receive treatment with peace of mind. Therefore, we assist in stable treatment by using NovaCare's slightly acidic hypochlorous water, which is harmless to the human body when consumed and kills nearly 100% of bacteria and viruses.

We believe that the foundation of all dental treatments is saving natural teeth. Recently, there has been an increasing number of cases where implant procedures are recommended after indiscriminate extractions. However, even the most excellent artificial teeth cannot surpass the superiority of natural teeth.

To preserve these natural teeth for a long time, if even one symptom suggestive of gum disease appears, we hope you will visit a medical institution capable of treating periodontal disease, such as Barunyoung Dental Clinic in Kumho-dong, without delay for prompt action. Even if there are no symptoms, we recommend regular scaling treatment to prevent periodontal disease.

Barunyoung Dental Clinic in Kumho-dong always has a specialist in integrated dentistry on staff, allowing you to receive all dental treatments, including cavity treatment, root canal treatment, gum disease treatment, wisdom tooth extraction, aesthetic prosthetics, and implant treatment, in a ONE-STOP manner.

Barunyoung Dental Clinic in Kumho-dong is located on the 2nd floor, a 1-minute walk from Exit 6 of Yaksu Station, and free mechanical parking is available in the building when you visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is gum disease dangerous?

Gum disease is common, but if left untreated, it can weaken the support for your teeth, causing them to loosen or fall out. In severe cases, the jawbone can be absorbed, making even implant placement difficult, so caution is advised.

What are the main causes of gum disease?

The primary causes of gum disease are plaque and tartar that have accumulated on the tooth surface and inside the gums over a long period. Since brushing alone cannot completely remove them, regular scaling is important.

Are the treatments for early and advanced gum disease different?

Yes, they are different. Early gingivitis can be treated with scaling, but advanced periodontitis requires procedures like root planing and periodontal curettage to remove tartar and inflammatory tissue from inside the gums. If alveolar bone destruction is severe, gum surgery may be necessary.

How can I prevent gum disease?

The best way to prevent gum disease is through regular scaling treatment to remove plaque and tartar. Additionally, if you experience symptoms such as gum pain or bleeding, it is crucial to visit a dental clinic immediately for examination.

What are the unique features of Barunyoung Dental Clinic in Kumho-dong?

Barunyoung Dental Clinic in Kumho-dong has a specialist in integrated dentistry who provides 1:1 responsible care. We utilize 3D-CT for precise diagnosis and a 3-step pain-free anesthesia system, prioritizing the preservation of natural teeth.

Is gum disease treatment pain-free?

At Barunyoung Dental Clinic in Kumho-dong, we apply a 3-step pain-free anesthesia system to reduce the fear of pain during dental treatment. We alleviate the burden of pain through topical anesthesia, gargle anesthesia, followed by digital pain-free anesthesia, and then concentrated anesthesia on the treatment area.