What are the signs of gum disease?
- Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
- Persistent bad breath (halitosis)
- Receding gums or longer-looking teeth
- Pain when chewing
- Loose teeth or changes in bite
- Pus around your teeth or gums
- Sensitivity to hot or cold
Periodontics
At Witley Dental Practice we offer a range of services to treat and manage periodontal disease. We tailor each treatment plan to the needs of our patients and will discuss the best course of treatment during your initial consultation.
The primary aim is to remove the cause of the disease which is plaque. We carefully carry out treatment in three stages:
- Complete instruction in oral hygiene and home care is given during visits either by the hygienist or our periodontal consultant: Shaun Greaves.
- Deep cleaning of tooth root surfaces, involving removal of plaque and calculus (tartar) deposits both above and below the gum line. This is usually carried out under local anaesthetic, and modern techniques will ensure the treatment is pain free. In advanced disease, surgery may be necessary to reshape the gum to facilitate your home care.
- The long term follow-up to initial treatment is essential to ensure the teeth are kept plaque- free and therefore prevent the return of the disease. Some patients with severe gum problems may need to continue with specialist care.
Reminders will be sent for recall visits as appropriate. Some people with complex dental problems may need these preventative sessions every 3 - 4 months. Others achieve such healthy mouths that they need only to be reviewed yearly.
What is periodontal (gum) disease?
In a healthy mouth, the gums are pale pink in colour and are firmly attached to the teeth.
Gum disease is caused by bacteria in the mouth that sticks to the teeth to form plaque. These bacteria release substances that are irritable to the gums causing a change in colour and texture, and in time may form a hard deposit on the tooth called calculus.
If the gums become separated from the teeth, some of these bacteria may migrate into the pouch-like space between the teeth and gums called a pocket. Here substances produced by the bacteria can more easily affect bone.
The gums may appear red and swollen, and may bleed when you brush your teeth. This is called gingivitis. If gingivitis remains untreated, it may spread and erode the bone that supports the teeth and is called periodontitis. Typically the gums become separated from the teeth and may recede. As the disease progresses the teeth become loose and eventually some may fall out. Gum disease is often associated with bad breath or an unpleasant taste in the mouth.