Gum Disease

Gum disease is one of the most common problems affecting one in five people. It is an infection of the tissues which support the teeth. All gum disease is caused by plaque. Plaque is a film of bacteria, which forms on the surface of the teeth and gums.

Several signs that can warn you of a gum disease:

• Bleeding Gums on brushing teeth.
• Red, swollen, tender gums.
• Receding Gums.
• Persistent bad breath or bad taste.
• Permanent teeth that are loose or separating.
• Any change in the way your teeth fit together while biting.

Unfortunately, gum disease progresses painlessly on the whole so  you do not notice the damage it is doing. Over a number of years, the bone supporting the teeth can be lost. If the disease is left untreated for a long time, treatment can become more difficult. This may eventually lead to tooth loss.

Your role in preventing Gum disease

To prevent and treat gum disease, you need to make sure you remove all the plaque from your teeth every day. Even with an effective toothbrush it is not always possible to remove all plaque from between the teeth. Daily use of an interdental cleaning aid such as dental floss or an interproximal brush can help remove plaque from these difficult areas, and improve oral health.

Dentist role in preventing Gum disease

Our Dentists will carry out  screening for gum disease as an  integral part of your routine dental examination.We advise all our patients to attend regular dental examinations so that we can identify and treat developing conditions early on and keep an eye on your general oral health. During routine check-ups our dentist will conduct a thorough examination of your mouth and carry out oral cancer screening, as standard

Hygienist role in preventing Gum disease

The main role of our  hygienist is centred around preventing gum disease. Hygienist’s are specially trained to carry out scaling and polishing, and will remove tartar and plaque, which cannot be removed by brushing alone. The hygienists can only see patients that have been referred to them by a dentist and they work under the dentists’ prescription but with a high degree of clinical freedom.

Your  hygienist will work with your dentist to provide care tailored to your needs.