Treatment of gum disease

Gum Disease

How do I know if I have gum disease?

Do you recognise any of these symptoms?

• My gums bleed easily
• My gums are red, swollen or tender
• My gums have pulled away from my teeth
• My teeth feel lose and they seem to be growing further apart
• My teeth don't fit together anymore when I bite
• My partial dentures no longer fit
• I notice pus between my teeth and gums
• I have persistently bad breath
• I have an awful taste in my mouth

These could all be early warning signs of gum disease, so to avoid losing your teeth, consult your dentist as soon as possible.

What is gum disease?

Gum disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes the supporting structures of your teeth to dissolve. This can go on for years before you notice any symptoms. Sometimes the first sign could be the loss of a tooth. If you wait until you have any symptoms, it may be too late, as gum disease is the biggest single cause of tooth loss in adults.

What treatment will I receive?

The first step is a deep cleaning treatment called ‘scaling' or ‘root planning'. This treatment is usually carried out over as many as five appointments.

If you suffer from gum disease you'll need to change the way you look after your teeth. Your hygienist can help with the new techniques you will need to learn but for your treatment to be successful it's important to follow their advice. It's also crucial to have your teeth professionally cleaned and checked by an experienced hygienist every three months. You teeth will have to be carefully monitored after treatment to ensure any work carried out has been successful.

On very rare occasions, surgery may be required to repair the damage caused by gum disease.

• Would you like to book an appointment about this treatment?