Gum Care
Family Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentist
& Facial Aesthetics.
What is gum disease?
There are 2 different types of gum disease, Gingivitis and Periodontitis.
Gingivitis is a very mild form of gum disease. The gums can appear red, swollen and may bleed when brushed. Gingivitis is very common but the good news is that it can be treated by a combination of treatments provided by our hygienist and better oral hygiene at home.
Periodontitis is the more serious form of gum disease and although it is very similar to gingivitis, the damage it causes to teeth and gums is irreversible. Once Periodontitis starts to occur the gums recede and ‘pockets’, spaces around the gum, form and cause infection. Cleaning alone is not enough to prevent periodontitis and it is important to see your Hygienist to prevent tooth loss.
Who’s at risk? (Risk Factors)
Smoking – is the most significant risk factor associated with gum disease.
Hormonal changes in girls/women can make gums more sensitive and make it easier for gingivitis to develop.
Diabetes – People with diabetes are at higher risk for developing gum disease.
Other illnesses like cancer and their treatments can affect the gums.
Medications – There are hundreds of medications that reduce the flow of saliva. Without enough saliva, the mouth is vulnerable to infections such as gum disease. This can make it difficult to keep teeth and gums clean.
Genetic susceptibility – Some people are more prone to severe gum disease than others.
Periodontal treatment stages.
Phase 1- Baseline Scoring
This is a simple assessment phase to establish your current level of oral hygiene. Within this appointment, your hygienist will produce a series of numerical scores. These scores will relate to the amount of plaque and bleeding displayed within your mouth and also show the levels of destruction of your gums, including the bone and ligaments. If you receive high scores, the hygienist will plan an effective course of treatment for you to reduce and prevent the chance of you developing gum disease.
Phase 2 – Cleaning and Home Care
At this appointment your hygienist will provide a general clean and polish procedure, removing any visible plaque and tartar present on the teeth above the gum line. They will also outline a series of effective cleaning techniques which should be used at home in order to maintain a healthy mouth.
The advised techniques can vary between patients and are dependent upon your current level of oral hygiene. The aim of this phase is to ensure that around 90% of the mouth is plaque free. Progression to the next phase of treatment depends upon your cooperation to complete such cleaning techniques, and how well the surrounding gums respond to such techniques.
Phase 3- Deep Cleaning Sessions
With the use of specialist instruments, your hygienist will deeply clean the teeth under local anaesthetic to remove any deposits within the surrounding pockets of the teeth below the gum line. This treatment is required to remove infection-causing bacteria and irritants beneath the gum line which can cause gum disease.
Dependant on the progression of such gum disease, this procedure must be completed either on all of the teeth present within the mouth or within localised areas. The duration of the treatment can vary between patients though often 2 to 4 appointments lasting between 30 to 60 minutes are required to clean the teeth thoroughly. It is sometimes necessary to use substances to disinfect the area below the gum line to help kill difficult to reach bacteria.
Phase 4 – Reassessment and Maintenance
At a dental check-up routine, your dentist will examine your teeth condition and any possible dental problems to ensure your teeth are healthy. If we find any problems in the early stages, it will be easy to treat and avoid unnecessary complications.
Periodontal disease (gum disease) can range from simple gum inflammation, to a more serious disease to the tissue around the teeth – in extreme cases, tooth loss is possible.
Who’s at risk? (Risk Factors)
Phase 5 – Future Care
At a dental check-up routine, your dentist will examine your teeth condition and any possible dental problems to ensure your teeth are healthy. If we find any problems in the early stages, it will be easy to treat and avoid unnecessary complications.
Periodontal disease (gum disease) can range from simple gum inflammation, to a more serious disease to the tissue around the teeth – in extreme cases, tooth loss is possible.
Need an Emergency Appointment? Call us on 01606 44725
Our Family Dentistry Services
White fillings
If you need a filling or have the onset of tooth decay, please contact us immediately. Not only can we help clean and protect the tooth in question from further damage, but we can also provide white `tooth coloured` fillings, providing you with a great aesthetic and functional solution in no time.
Hygienist
We work hard to help keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy. This is important to help avoid gum disease, periodontal disease, and loss of teeth. Our professional and experienced hygienists team are always on hand to help and provide further information and advice surrounding oral hygiene.
Gum Care
If you suffer from long-term gum inflammation or gingivitis, it’s essential to contact us as soon as possible. If left untreated over a long period, gum inflammation can lead to periodontal disease, which can lead to teeth becoming loose as the bone supporting the tooth is affected. In such cases, you must get preventative treatment before teeth start falling out.
Implants
Looking for Dental implants? You could have lost one tooth, several teeth or all your natural teeth; this can affect your smile, your ability to eat your favourite foods, your self-esteem and your health.
Dentures
Whether you've lost all of your teeth or just a single tooth, dentures can provide the perfect tooth replacement solution without being permanently fixed. Made from acrylic or a mixture of acrylic and cobalt-chromium, dentures are functional, comfortable, and practical.
