Gum Care
& Periodontics

Pink on the toothbrush is easy to ignore, and many people only mention it to a dentist after it has been going on for months. Gums that bleed are not normal, though, and they are often the earliest sign of gum disease. At Dr Kagiso Moloi and Associates, periodontal care focuses on picking up the problem early and protecting the bone that holds your teeth in place.

What Is Gum Disease?

Gum disease starts when plaque builds up along the gumline and irritates the gums. In its early stage, called gingivitis, the gums turn red and puffy and may bleed when you brush. If plaque hardens into tartar and the inflammation continues, it can progress to periodontitis. The gums then start to pull away from the teeth, and the bone supporting them can be lost.

What Signs Should You Look Out For?

  • Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
  • Bad breath that does not go away
  • Teeth that look longer as the gums recede
  • Teeth that feel loose or have started to shift

Smoking and diabetes are two of the most significant risk factors. Crowded teeth can also play a part, because they are harder to clean. Straightening them with braces or other orthodontic treatment can make daily cleaning easier and, over time, take some pressure off the gums.

What Does Treatment Involve?

Early gum disease often responds well to a professional scale and polish by an experienced dentist, combined with better brushing and flossing at home. Where periodontitis has developed, deeper cleaning below the gumline may be needed. This is known as root planing. It is done under local anaesthetic and may be spread over more than one appointment.

What Can You Expect Over Time?

Periodontitis can be managed, but it does not simply disappear, and it needs ongoing care from both you and your dentist in Windhoek. Regular maintenance visits, often every three to four months at first, help keep it stable. Where teeth have already been lost, replacing them with dental implants can be considered once the gums have been stable for some time.

Because gum disease rarely hurts until it is advanced, ask for your gums to be checked at your next visit, or the dental practice can book a separate assessment.

Book A Gum Health Assessment