Gum-Health Treatments

This area of our work is called Periodontics, which deals with gum health.

Healthy gums are firm, pink, don’t bleed easily and have no swelling. We aspire to enable many more of our patients to be in this state of health.

However, unhealthy gums are far too common across all ages. Therefore, early intervention is key. Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an infection of the tissues around your teeth, caused by plaque and bacteria buildup. This problem is usually caused by poor oral hygiene, diet, and/or smoking, but can also stem from other illnesses such as diabetes and genetics. If not treated, gum disease can lead to inflammation, bleeding, and potentially tooth loss.

There are 2 types of gum disease:

Gingivitis: The earliest stage, characterised by inflamed and bleeding gums. Most people don’t realise they have this problem initially, so look out for the symptoms listed below.

Periodontitis: A more severe gum disease that can damage the tissues and bones that support your teeth, potentially leading to tooth loss.

Symptoms of gum disease:

• Red, swollen, and easily bleeding gums

• Pus between teeth and gums

• Receding gums (gum tissue pulling away from teeth)

• Loose teeth or a change in the way your teeth fit together

• Persistent bad breath

There are treatments available to best manage gum disease and keep it at bay. These can include:

Prevention (remember our ethos!)

Good oral hygiene and diet habits, use of fluoride toothpaste, regular dental examinations and Hygienist visits, and avoiding smoking are good examples.

Non-surgical treatments:

• Scaling and root planing, provided mainly by Hygienists or Therapists: This procedure removes plaque and tartar from the teeth and smooths the root surfaces to prevent further bacteria buildup.

• Antibiotics: In some cases, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics to fight bacterial infections.

Surgical treatments:

• Pocket reduction surgery (also known as deep-pocket cleaning): This surgery removes excess gum tissue to reduce the depth of pockets (spaces) around the teeth, making it easier to clean and maintain good oral hygiene.

• Gum grafting: This procedure uses tissue taken from another area of the mouth to reinforce thin or receding gums.

• Bone grafting: This procedure helps rebuild bone that has been lost due to periodontal disease.

Once gum disease is established and bone loss has occurred, the effects cannot be reversed. Special treatment will be required to arrest the disease and to control and maintain it.

So, it’s best to prevent it from early on!