A healthy mouth makes life comfortable. Yet many patients only realise how important healthy gums are when they’re not in good condition. Periodontal care helps patients to control gum disease, and achieve a healthier smile.Healthy gums make a difference because:
Patients may ask a dentist, “Why am I spitting blood?” or “Why are my gums bleeding?”
Some patients are reluctant to floss because, they say, it makes their gums to bleed.
Fortunately, the patient has done well to visit the dentist. There is treatment that can help. Our team develops a personal plan for every patient to achieve their optimum oral health.
The most cost-effective way of accessing regular dental examinations and oral hygiene treatments is to become a practice Member.
What is periodontics?
Periodontics is the area of dental care that looks after the structures that support our teeth.
As the gums protect the sockets and bone that hold our teeth, they need to be kept healthy. Periodontal care helps both oral and general health, as well as guarding against tooth loss.
- Our dental team monitors and treats gum problems caused by bacteria that build up in plaque.
- Moreover, a dentist can improve the appearance of your gum line, to enhance your smile.
What is gum disease?
It’s a common problem. There are two main stages to the condition generally referred to as gum disease.
Gums (also called gingiva) become sore, irritated and swollen because of infection caused because harmful bacteria remain in the mouth. This earlier stage of gum disease is called gingivitis because it’s the flesh around the teeth that’s infected.
In the later stages of gum disease, bacteria penetrate deeper into the structures that support teeth. Advanced infection is called periodontitis. This term is used because the periodontal structures, such as the alveolar bone where the teeth sockets are, and the cementum that holds teeth in place, have become infected. Without treatment it is not only uncomfortable but will cause teeth to become loose and even fall out.
What are early signs of gum disease?
It’s important to be aware of changes in the colour, texture and feel of gum tissue.
Catching periodontal disease in the early stages prevents more severe damage to the teeth, jaw and general health.
Look out for:
- Slight roughness on the teeth that can indicate a build-up of plaque, which holds bacteria.
- Any feelings of soreness in the gums, especially around crowns or implants, in gaps between teeth, or other hard to reach areas.
- Changes in colour from a healthy pink to redness or whitening.
- A feeling of pressure or tightness in the gum indicating swelling.
- Bleeding when you brush indicates a problem.
How is gum disease treated?
Periodontal care follows stages determined by an initial assessment and treatment plan.
- Your dentist will assess the condition of your mouth, identifying the causes of problems such as bleeding or wobbly teeth. Then the dentist will plan with you how to reduce or solve the issues.
- In consultation with the dentist, the dental hygienist will thoroughly clean and scale your teeth to reduce the impact of harmful bacteria. The hygienist will also help you to establish an effective oral hygiene routine of brushing and flossing.
- If necessary, the dentist will undertake additional treatments for areas that need particular care. For example, to reduce pockets formed when the gum no longer wraps around the root, encouraging reattachment.
- The final stage is to make sure a maintenance plan is in place. Regular appointments with the dentist and hygienist help patients to maintain a good level of oral hygiene. Patients at this stage often benefit from joining a payment plan to spread the cost of regular follow-up appointments over the year.
Can I reverse gum disease?
Gum disease is a chronic condition that needs meticulous care to prevent it becoming worse.
In the early stages, a dentist will assess your mouth and develop a plan. Hygiene therapy is recommended, to clean away tartar (hardened plaque housing bacteria), and a good oral hygiene routine at home is essential too.
If, however, the condition has developed into periodontitis this means that the structures supporting teeth are infected. Treatment is essential and helps patients manage the condition. Although the stability of some teeth may have been compromised, treatment will help to retain them and restore better oral health.
The dental team will treat active stages of bacterial infection by cleaning and deep-cleaning teeth and roots as necessary. It is also up to the patient to implement a programme to maintain oral health.
What products stop gum disease?
Support and treatment from a dental professional is essential to both prevent and control gum disease.
Products to look after teeth and gums at home help to maintain good oral health, and guard against bacterial infection. They support dental hygiene, but do not replace essential professional treatment.
A home oral hygiene kit should include:
- an electric toothbrush
- fluoride toothpaste
- dental floss or tape
- interdental brushes
- disclosure tablets
- mouth wash
Why are my gums bleeding?
If your gums are bleeding when you brush or floss, you need to make an appointment with your dentist.
Usually, bleeding gums are an early sign of gum disease or gingivitis. Many people ignore this important sign that plaque is building up and they need periodontal treatment. The sooner you get to grips with any type of oral infection, the better it is for your teeth, mouth and general health.
Remember, your dental team is not there to judge you or your oral hygiene. The team’s aim is to help support your oral health and achieve optimum oral fitness.
During a consultation your dentist will assess your teeth and the soft tissues of your mouth. If the bleeding is beyond the scope of your dental team (for example, caused by a blood disorder) the dentist will refer you to another health care professional.
Can I prevent gum disease?
Excellent oral hygiene will prevent gum disease.
Gum disease is a chronic condition, meaning that it develops over a period of time.
The danger with the condition is that the early symptoms are often ignored, as the level of discomfort is usually low. Regular dental and oral hygiene appointments, as well as a thorough oral hygiene routine twice a day at home care essential preventive measures.
If periodontitis does take hold, then the help of dental professionals to manage the condition means better oral health, and a better chance of saving your teeth.
Many patients find that joining a practice payment plan that spreads the cost of regular treatments across monthly payments supports better oral hygiene.
It’s worth remembering that dentures, or even dental implants, are not equal replacements for real teeth.
Taking care of the teeth also means taking care of the tissue and structures that support them. In routine check-ups, your dentist will assess your mouth for signs of inflammation, gum disease and oral cancer. Removal of plaque is crucial to maintaining healthy gums and bone, preventing inflammation, bleeding, and the progression of bacterial infection. Where plaque has built up, cleaning and root scaling may need to be part of your treatment plan.
