Is gum disease contagious

Is gum disease contagious

Gum disease is a very common condition affecting the gums, although usually more common in adults than in children. It’s imperative to maintain good oral hygiene to prevent gum disease from getting worse, but can you spread it to others? Let’s take a look.

What is gum disease?

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a common condition that affects the tissues and bones that support your teeth. It typically starts with gingivitis, which is an inflammation of the gums caused by plaque buildup on the teeth.

If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a more severe form of gum disease where the gums pull away from the teeth and pockets form between the teeth and gums. These pockets can become infected, leading to further damage to the gums and bone that support the teeth.

Typically, you’ll notice early signs of gum disease if your gums bleed when you brush your teeth. However, other symptoms include:

• Red, swollen gums.
• Receding gums.
• Bad breath.
• Teeth no longer fit together when you bite.

Fortunately, gum disease is treatable in the early stages; dentists or dental hygienists can flush out the bacteria and plaque from between the gums and the teeth, as well as scale and polish the teeth to prevent further plaque build-up. This treatment should be done every 6 to 12 months to prevent the gum disease from worsening. Once receded, the gum tissue doesn’t typically grow back on its own, but with treatment, the gums can begin to heal and even see some degree of gum tissue regeneration.

However, gum disease is rarely curable once it has taken effect, especially if it has reached advanced stages. But maintaining good oral hygiene practices and having regular dental check-ups are crucial to stop it from progressing even further.

Can gum disease spread to another person?

Gum disease is not directly contagious like a cold or flu, which can be spread easily from person to person. However, the bacteria that contribute to gum disease can be spread from person to person through activities like kissing or sharing utensils.

So while gum disease itself isn’t contagious, the bacteria that cause it can be transmitted between individuals. Therefore, maintaining good oral hygiene and avoiding behaviours that can spread bacteria can help reduce the risk of transmitting gum disease-related bacteria to others.

If your gum disease symptoms are mild or managed, it’s unlikely that you’ll spread gum disease to your boyfriend or girlfriend by kissing, but if you have inflamed gums, the risk is much higher. To manage your symptoms it’s, therefore, important to maintain good oral hygiene and have regular check-ups with a dental hygienist who can flush your gums and polish your teeth to prevent the condition from worsening. Essentially, gum disease symptoms can be manageable and you can continue life with your partner as normal if you maintain good oral hygiene practices.

Some couples share toothbrushes, which may not seem like a big deal if you’re kissing, but in reality, you can share a lot more bacteria from mouth to mouth by using someone else’s toothbrush or regularly sharing one. If one of you has gum disease, you should definitely keep to your own oral hygiene products.

Having dental treatment for gum disease

While you can still receive other dental treatments if you have gum disease, it’s important to address the gum disease itself before undergoing other treatments. Gum disease can affect the overall health of your mouth, and untreated gum disease can lead to complications with other dental procedures, so your dentist will highlight the importance of addressing your gum disease before performing other procedures, such as tooth extractions or cosmetic dentistry, such as composite veneers.

Depending on the severity of your gum disease, your dentist may recommend various treatments such as scaling and root planing (a type of deep cleaning), or in more advanced cases, surgery. They will also recommend you improve your oral hygiene, ensuring you brush twice a day, floss and rinse with mouthwash to manage your symptoms daily.

Once your gum disease is under control and your dentist determines it’s safe, you can proceed with other dental treatments such as fillings, crowns, implants, or cosmetic procedures. However, maintaining good oral hygiene and attending regular dental check-ups will be essential to prevent gum disease from recurring and to ensure the success of any other dental treatments.

Can you get composite bonding if you have gum disease?

Composite bonding is a cosmetic dental procedure also known as dental bonding. A tooth-coloured resin material is applied to the teeth to repair chips, cracks, gaps, or discolouration, or to reshape the teeth for aesthetic purposes. The resin is carefully sculpted and bonded to the tooth surface, then hardened with a special light, resulting in a natural-looking restoration that blends seamlessly with the surrounding teeth.

In general, it’s advisable to address gum disease before undergoing cosmetic dental procedures like composite bonding. Treating gum disease helps ensure a healthy foundation for any dental work and reduces the risk of complications. Your dentist will evaluate your oral health and recommend the appropriate course of treatment before proceeding with composite bonding or any other dental procedures.

Gum disease can impact the health of the teeth as bacteria form plaque, which eats away at the tooth enamel. For composite bonding to adhere to your tooth, the enamel needs to be retextured for the resin to stick. If your tooth enamel is too thin, this may not be possible, so your dentist will discuss options to help improve your teeth in the most suitable way.

Is gum disease an emergency?

Emergency dental care is usually required for a sudden, severe toothache or bleeding from trauma to the mouth, or even chipping or losing a tooth. So gum disease itself is typically not considered a dental emergency. However, advanced stages of gum disease, such as periodontitis, can lead to serious oral health problems if left untreated, so in the case that gum disease has suddenly brought on significant pain, swelling, or bleeding, it may require urgent attention.

If you’re experiencing severe symptoms of gum disease, such as intense toothache, swelling of the face or neck, bleeding from the gums that doesn’t stop, or pus seeping from the gums, it’s important to seek prompt attention from a dentist. Ignoring these symptoms can lead to further complications, including tooth loss and damage to the surrounding bone and tissues.

To prevent this from happening, you should see a dentist as soon as possible once you believe you have gum disease and have regular check-ups to prevent the condition from worsening.

How to get emergency dental care

Emergency dental care in the UK is very easy to access, with two main options:

• NHS dental practices.
• Private dental practices.

You can find emergency dentists near you by simply phoning your regular dentist to learn if they have any available appointments; if it’s outside of the normal working hours, their voicemail message will inform you of the nearest emergency dental practice to you.

If you don’t have a regular dentist, you can call NHS 111 to find out the nearest emergency dentist to you – they may also be able to book you an appointment; however, you may have to call the practice yourself. An emergency appointment with an NHS dentist costs £25.80, and they strive to see you within 24 hours; however, this is increasingly impossible due to the strain on NHS services.

Many people opt instead for the timely appointments provided by private dental practices so they can take their healthcare into their own hands. Costs can vary, but the practice staff or website will be upfront about costs when you book your emergency dental appointment.

However bad your toothache may be, you should avoid hospital emergency departments with dental issues unless your life is in danger, i.e. you’re struggling to breathe or swallow, or are experiencing heavy blood loss. They will then provide the necessary treatment to keep you safe before referring you to a dentist for the appropriate care.

Eye and Dental Clinic – book your appointment today

If you need to see an emergency dentist or you’re looking for a reliable dentist to fix your gum disease, or crooked teeth with composite bonding or veneers, book an appointment with the Eye and Dental Clinic today!

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