Gum Infection

Bleeding gums and receding gums can be symptoms of gum infection.

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and bones that support your teeth. It can occur on one tooth or multiple teeth. If left untreated, it can lead to bleeding gums, bad breath, loose teeth, and eventually tooth loss. There have been studies that link gum disease to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and osteoporosis. Pregnant women with gum disease have a higher risk of miscarriage and premature birth.

Bleeding gums are usually the first sign of gum disease. You may notice your gums bleeding when you brush, floss, or eat hard foods. Other signs and symptoms of gum disease include:

Red and swollen gums
Loose teeth
Persistent bad breath

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to see your dentist right away. Early diagnosis and treatment of gum disease can help prevent serious complications.

Gum Infection Therapy Cost

$280 -$350
(w/o GST)

This is a fee estimate & subject to change.
Please check with your clinician for an exact fee based on your unique clinical condition.

Periodontist Consultation

$95
(w/o GST)

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How can we prevent gum infection?

Here are some tips on how to prevent gum infection:

Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time.
Floss once a day.
See your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings.
Avoid smoking. Smoking can damage your gums and make you more susceptible to gum disease.
Eat a healthy diet. A healthy diet can help to keep your gums healthy. Make sure to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Manage stress.

Why do teeth sometimes become shaky?

Plaque causes the gums to become inflamed, red, swollen, and bleed easily. This is known as gingivitis and there is usually no pain at this stage. It is caused by inadequate oral hygiene and can be treated with professional dental treatment and good oral home care.

If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis. At this stage, the tissues and bones that support the tooth are destroyed. Gums will start to separate from the teeth, forming deeper pockets (spaces between the teeth and gums). As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen further, and more gum tissues and bones are destroyed. Eventually, teeth will become shaky and may need to be removed.

Who is a Periodontist?

A periodontist is a dentist who specialises in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of gum disease. They receive extensive education and training in these areas and are familiar with the latest techniques for diagnosing and treating gum disease. Periodontists often treat more problematic cases, such as those with severe gum disease or complex medical history.

They offer a wide range of treatments, including:

Scaling: This is a procedure to remove plaque and calculus (hardened tartar) from the teeth.
Root planning: This is a procedure to smooth the root surfaces of teeth to remove bacteria and other debris.
Root surface debridement: This is a procedure to remove infected and damaged tissue from the gums and around the teeth.

The periodontist may also perform a range of surgical procedures, which may be necessary for patients with severe gum problems. These procedures may include:

Gingivectomy: This is a procedure to remove excess gum tissue.
Gingivoplasty: This is a procedure to reshape the gums.
Bone grafting: This is a procedure to add bone to the jaw to support teeth that are loose or have been lost due to gum disease.

Our Gum Specialist

Dr. Low Yi Han

Dr. Low Yi Han is a periodontist (gum specialist) in Singapore. He is skilled at treating gum problems like bleeding gums, receding gums, and shaky […]

If you are concerned about your gum health, it is important to see a periodontist for a consultation. They can assess your gum health and recommend the best treatment plan for you.

Who Should See a Periodontist?

For some people, a visit to a general dentist will suffice. However, it is best for patients with more severe levels of periodontal disease or with more complex cases to be managed by a partnership between the dentist and periodontist.

People with gum disease. Gum disease is a serious condition that can lead to tooth loss. If you have gum disease, a periodontist can help you to stop the disease from progressing and to save your teeth.
People who have had gum surgery. If you have had gum surgery, a periodontist can monitor your progress and make sure that your gums are healing properly.
People who are planning to have dental implants. Dental implants are a great option for people who have lost teeth. However, they can only be placed in healthy gums. A periodontist can assess your gum health and make sure that you are a good candidate for dental implants.
People with medical conditions that can affect their gum health. Some medical conditions, such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, can increase your risk of developing gum disease. If you have a medical condition, a periodontist can help you to manage your gum health and to prevent gum disease from developing.

If you are concerned about your gum health, it is important to see a periodontist for a consultation. They can assess your gum health and recommend the best treatment plan for you.

Non-surgical Treatments for Gum Disease

Scaling and Root Planing

It is a non-surgical deep cleaning procedure that removes plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line. It is done under a local anesthetic. The dentist or periodontist uses special tools to scrape away the plaque and tartar, and then smooths the root surfaces to remove any rough spots. This helps to remove bacteria and provides a clean surface for the gums to reattach to the teeth.

Scaling and root planing is a common treatment for gum disease. It can help to stop the progression of the disease and to prevent tooth loss. However, it is important to note that scaling and root planing is not a cure for gum disease. It is a treatment that can help to improve the health of the gums and to prevent further damage.

Medication

In some cases, antibiotics may be prescribed to help treat gum disease. Antibiotics can help to reduce or temporarily kill the bacteria that cause gum infections. They can also help to prevent the destruction of the tooth’s attachment to the bone.

Antibiotics may be prescribed in combination with surgery and other therapies, or alone. The type of antibiotic that is prescribed will depend on the severity of the gum disease and the patient’s overall health.

It is important to take antibiotics as prescribed by your dentist or periodontist. If you do not take the full course of antibiotics, the infection may not be completely cured and the gum disease may return

Oral hygiene instructions and Home Care

Your dentist or dental hygienist will teach you how to brush and floss your teeth properly. This is essential for preventing gum disease from returning.

It is important to practice good oral hygiene at home. This includes brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time, flossing once a day, and using a fluoride toothpaste.

If you have diabetes, it is important to control your blood sugar levels. This can help to reduce your risk of developing gum disease.

Eating a healthy diet can help to improve your overall health and can also help to reduce your risk of developing gum disease.

Gum Infection Aftercare

Maintaining good oral health after gum treatment is essential

To promote healing and prevent gum disease, it is crucial to maintain good dental health after gum treatment. Follow your periodontist’s advice to keep your gums and teeth healthy.

You might not be able to brush your teeth regularly for the first day or two. Your periodontist will probably give you a special mouthwash to help stop germs from building up in your mouth. Some other directions for aftercare could be:

Using heat or cold to reduce swelling
Rinsing with warm salt water
Taking over-the-counter or prescription pain medication
Resting for a day or more before returning to normal activities

The better care you take, the faster the healing.

Insurance & Subsidies

AIA

Smilepoint is an accredited service provider with IHP & AIA Dental Insurance.

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Medisave

Smilepoint is a CPF Medisave-accredited dental clinic for dental surgeries.

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CHAS

We are a CHAS-approved dental clinic. We accept valid CHAS, Merdeka and Pioneer Generation cards.

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Baby Bonus Scheme CDA

Smilepoint is a Baby Bonus (CDA) approved institution. You can use the funds from the CDA for dental treatments.

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Mohammad Faizal

29/04/2023

Great service! Thank you 😁

Mohanakrishna Tamilaras

29/04/2023

Staff were very kind and were informative in dental hygiene.

Peggy Wong

29/04/2023

Dr Mabel was such a gem to my 5 years old ! Highly recommended Very kids friendly environment and the staff are Superb !

Derrick Wee

26/04/2023

Had my teeth whitening done with Dr Mark and I was very happy with the result! The whole procedure was smooth and he made me feel at ease. Dr Mark’s knowledge, skills and kindness is admirable. Friendly staff at Smilepoint Dental too!

Suraj Patil

26/04/2023

Setting up appointment is easy. They will send reminders. Checking in and out is easy and fast. Been seeing Dr Ismeeta for years, fantastic dentist.

Alvin Cheng

25/04/2023

Made the best decision to do my braces here with Smilepoint Dental! It took 3 years and the results turned out great! Dr Ng had always been friendly and patient throughout the entire process. Thank you!

Amanda

25/04/2023

Fabulous experience. Dr Jolene is very gentle and great with kids. Highly recommend

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