Gum Disease and Health

Healthy teeth begin with healthy gums. If you’re suffering from bleeding, sensitive or swollen gums, bad breath or teeth that seem to have moved, it may be time to take a closer look at your gums and book an appointment at your local Smiles Dental clinic.

At Smiles Dental we can give you advice on how to prevent gum (periodontal) disease, as well as bleeding gums, tooth decay and other oral health concerns. Regular visits to your dentist and hygienist will ensure that any problems are identified quickly so that you can stop gum disease in its tracks.

If left untreated, gum disease can lead to tooth loss and an array of other oral health and general health issues. Our dentists will work with you to rectify gum problems and can repair any damage to your teeth or jaw that might already have occurred. We may advise you on a long-term treatment plan to ensure you maintain good oral health over the coming years, and you’ll receive excellent guidance on how to look after your gums and teeth moving forwards.

Oral Health Guide

The team at Smiles Dental can provide you with dietary advice and instructions on how best to brush and floss your teeth, which will help you avoid the build-up of plaque that can cause gum disease.

What is gum disease?
Periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, is a chronic bacterial infection of the gums and bone that supports the teeth. It is a major cause of tooth loss in adults and because gum disease is usually painless, you may not even know you have it.

Although most individuals suffer gum inflammation from time to time, research shows that around 10-15%* of the population appears to suffer from the more severe forms of the disease. This can cause a loss of supporting bone and increase the risk of losing teeth through periodontal disease.

What are the causes of gum disease?
The main cause of gum disease is the formation of dental plaque, which is a sticky film that clings to the surface of the teeth. The bacteria contained in plaque also release toxins that can damage the gums. If plaque is left to accumulate, it can result in an inflammation of the surface of the gums known as ‘Gingivitis’. This inflammation will resolve if the plaque is removed through cleaning of the teeth and no permanent damage is done. As the amount of plaque increases it can begin to mineralise and form tartar (calculus). Such hard deposits have a rough surface, allowing more plaque to form and cause further damage to the gums.

If plaque accumulates for a long time the changes it causes in the gums can lead to loss of the bone support, a condition known as ‘Periodontitis’.

How do I know if I have gum disease?
The signs and symptoms of periodontal disease are varied and may include reddening and swelling of the gums, gums that bleed on brushing, gums that have pulled away from the teeth, loose or wobbly teeth, a bad taste in the mouth and bad breath. Because pain is rarely a symptom until the disease is at an advanced stage, it is possible to you might be unaware of any changes.

Regular dentist check-ups will allow your dentist to assess your teeth gums and spot signs of gum disease or any changes to your gum health. They may also use X-rays as part of your dental examination to get a clearer view of any damage caused.

Consultation
The first stage of any periodontal treatment is a consultation appointment. It is important for the success of any treatment that the severity and extent of any present gum disease is established in advance. This is done by carefully measuring the position of the gums and whether spaces – known as ‘pockets’ have developed between the gums and teeth.

The depth of these pockets is registered on a special chart, providing a permanent record of the level of disease present. As well as recording this information, a consultation also involves the taking of photographs and any necessary X-rays showing the position and height of the bone supporting the teeth.
Once all the information has been collected, a treatment plan can be devised. Whenever possible, various treatment options will be presented, and their merits and potential drawbacks discussed. By the end of the consultation, you should feel fully informed about your condition and have an understanding of the treatment options available to you, as well as the likelihood of success.

Treatment of gum disease
Possible treatment alternatives will be explained to you at your consultation appointment. This is the best time to ask any questions you may have. Our aim is always to preserve teeth if possible and advisable.

The most common form of treatment consists of scaling and root planing.

Scaling refers to the professional removal of soft plaque and hard calculus (tartar) from the teeth and around the gum line. It is undertaken using hand instruments (scalers or curettes) and/or sonic or ultrasonic instruments which use high frequency vibrations to help remove these deposits.

Root planing is essentially an extension of scaling, which involves removing deposits from under the gum line. This is usually undertaken once the gum tissues are numbed with a dental anaesthetic, allowing the treatment to be performed painlessly. The aim is to provide a clean and smooth tooth and root surface in order for the gum tissue and attachment has a chance to heal.

Scaling and root planing may sometimes be combined with the use of antibiotics to assist in the management of the gum infection.

* Oral Health Country Profile