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.
This winter, we’re determined to get rid of gum disease for good and we’re encouraging all our patients to keep up to date with regular check-ups and take steps at home to reduce the risk of periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease is an advanced form of gum disease that causes irreversible damage to the gums and affects the stability of the teeth. Periodontal disease affects the bone tissue, which holds the teeth in place, eventually causing them to come loose. Periodontal disease usually develops when gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease, is left untreated.
What causes gum disease?
Gum disease is caused by harmful bacteria that release plaque acids that irritate the gums and result in them becoming sore, swollen and tender. Plaque acids are released by bacteria, which gather in the mouth as a result of poor oral hygiene. The risk of gum disease is also increased by smoking. Diet can also increase the risk of developing gum disease and we strongly recommend a healthy, balanced diet and avoiding consumption of sugary and acidic foods and drinks on a regular basis.
Preventing gum disease
Good oral hygiene is the best form of defence against harmful bacteria and we recommend brushing twice a day for at least 2 minutes each time, flossing and using inter-dental brushes. We also advise patients to stick to regular 6 monthly check-ups and to be vigilant for the warning signs of gum disease. Symptoms to look out for include inflammation, soreness and redness in the gums and bleeding gums. Advanced symptoms include an unpleasant taste in the mouth, loose teeth and the development of pockets between the teeth and gums. We also encourage our patients to keep an eye on their sugar intake.
If you notice any signs of gum disease, it’s really important to see your dentist as early as you can. Leaving gum disease untreated increases the risk of it becoming more serious and causing permanent damage to your teeth and gums.
Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is a common oral health condition, which can result in early tooth loss if left untreated. Periodontal disease is an advanced form of gum disease; the less serious form is known as gingivitis.
Signs of gum disease
Many people first notice the signs of gum disease when they clean their teeth. Bleeding gums is one of the most noticeable symptoms of gum disease; other symptoms may include swelling, tenderness and redness of the gums. When gingivitis becomes more advanced, this is known as periodontal disease. At this stage, gum disease causes permanent damage to the mouth, as the infection has spread to the bone structure beneath the gums. The bone is responsible for holding and anchoring the teeth, and once this is affected, the teeth start to become loose and may eventually fall out. Signs of advanced gum disease include the development of pockets between the teeth and gums, an unpleasant taste in the mouth and loose teeth.
How is periodontal disease detected?
Periodontal disease can usually be detected by dentists through the identification of visible symptoms during a thorough examination of the mouth.
How is periodontal disease treated?
Gingivitis can usually be treated with good oral hygiene, but periodontal disease requires a much more careful approach and treatment usually takes place over a prolonged period of time. The aim of treatment is to restrict the amount of damage, prevent further infection and ease pain and swelling. Dentists work with dental hygienists to maintain good oral hygiene, remove harmful bacteria from the mouth and try to limit the spread of infection and reduce the risk of abscesses. Intensive hygiene treatments, such as scale and polish and root planing are used and regular sessions with both the dentist and dental hygienist are recommended.
Dr Gerrard is a Bristol based Cosmetic dentist with many years of experience and is one of only a small number of dentists accredited by The British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
