Gum disease

Gum disease, or periodontitis, is a disease that affects the gum tissue and bone surrounding your teeth. Gum disease is very common. In fact, most adults in the UK have it to some extent, and it is the sixth most prevalent disease worldwide.

Unfortunately, gum disease often goes unnoticed for a long time, and if left untreated, it can cause health issues and even tooth loss in some people.

Gum disease results from plaque buildup on your teeth. As plaque accumulates, your gums can become swollen, red and bleed easily, signifying gingivitis. Untreated, it may advance to periodontitis, damaging gums and surrounding bone and eventually leading to tooth loss.

A Periodontist is a dentist with additional specialist training in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of gum disease. A specialist Periodontist is equipped with the experience and techniques to treat more advanced cases of disease than a general dentist.

About 10% of the population is more susceptible to advanced forms of gum disease These groups of people include:

• People with a family history of gum disease
• Smokers
• People with poorly controlled diabetes
• People taking certain medications, such as some drugs that help control high blood pressure or epilepsy.
• People with certain general diseases
• People who are regularly under a high amount of stress

The signs of gum disease can vary from person to person, but you should look out for bleeding when you brush or floss and a swollen or red appearance to your gums. You should also be aware of any loose or tilting teeth, bad breath, receding gum lines and any changes in your bite.

Gum disease can be prevented or controlled by maintaining proper oral hygiene. Good toothbrushing technique and regular flossing are key. You should also visit your dentist every six months for regular cleanings, where they can catch early signs of gum issues.

If your dentist determines that you have gum disease, we can create a tailored treatment for you based on how far the disease has progressed. We may suggest a combination of the following treatments to manage and improve the health of your gums:

• Improved oral hygiene techniques: It is important to be able to remove plaque effectively at home, and your Periodontist can teach you the best cleaning aids for your smile (and how to best use them).
• Professional cleaning: Professional cleaning instruments can remove plaque and calculus more effectively than you can at home. We can also treat your teeth with Fluoride to help prevent sensitivity.
• Antibiotic therapy: If your gum disease doesn’t respond to hygienic treatments, you may be prescribed a course of antibiotics to manage the infection.
• Surgical periodontal treatment: In some cases, a minor surgical procedure may be required to treat your gum disease. Your Periodontist may opt to:
  • Expose tooth root surfaces under the gum line to clean them more effectively.
  • Try regenerative periodontal therapy to treat areas with bone loss.
  • Reshape your gum line to correct receded areas or treat gummy smiles.
• Reassessment: For any patient suffering from gum disease, review and reassessment is of paramount importance after each course of treatment to ensure that the disease does not progress or recur.