Everything You Need to Know About Gum Disease
At Clifton Dental Studio in Bristol we offer a full range of general dental services for all the family, including the prevention, treatment and management of gum disease.
What is gum disease?
Gum disease is one of the most common oral diseases. It occurs when the gums become inflamed as a result of irritation caused by harmful bacteria present in plaque. Plaque is a sticky film that is able to adhere to the surfaces of the teeth and gums. There are two types of gum disease: gingivitis, which causes the gums to become inflamed and sore, and periodontal disease, which causes damage to the tissues that support the teeth.
Although gum disease is very common, it is preventable and we live by the motto that prevention is always better than cure. We encourage out patients to attend regular dental check-ups and highly recommend dental hygiene sessions.
Spotting gum disease
Treating gum disease early is imperative, so it is important that you are aware of the warning signs. Symptoms of gum disease include bleeding, sore and red gums and swelling and tenderness in the gums.
If you notice these symptoms, it is important to see your dentist.
Treating gum disease
In cases of mild gum disease, good oral hygiene is usually sufficient treatment. However, periodontal disease is much more complex to treat and often takes several months. During the treatment process, patients are treated by dentists and dental hygienists and common therapies include regular cleaning treatments, root planing and scale and polish treatment, which removes plaque from the teeth and gum line. In cases where pockets have developed between the teeth and gums, intensive periodontal cleaning will be carried out to prevent the infection from spreading any further and to try to save the teeth.
Tags: gum disease, gum disease prevention Bristol, gum disease treatment Bristol, periodontal treatment bristol