Periodontal (Gum) Disease

Treating Gum Disease at Ascent Dental Care Malvern

It is widely understood within dentistry that healthy gums really are the foundation of a beautiful, long-lasting smile.

Your gums (or gingiva) act as a foundation, anchor and firm base into which healthy teeth will thrive. If gums are well maintained, with both professional cleaning and a robust home care regime, there is no reason why your teeth cannot last you a lifetime.

What most patients don’t realise is that gum disease is the number one cause for tooth loss in adults (not tooth decay).

Although there are many signs and symptoms of gum disease, some symptoms are very subtle in the early stages of the disease and can often go unnoticed for some time as patients learn to live with a ‘minor irritation’. However, the sad fact is that if gum disease is left untreated it can develop into advanced periodontal disease and eventual tooth loss.

The good news is that with professional care and the right approach, gum disease is very easy and inexpensive to prevent

At our clinic in Malvern we have an experienced hygiene team who are dedicated to providing healthy gums, fresh breath and optimum oral hygiene in order to prevent gum disease and advanced periodontal disease. Our dedicated professionals have a special interest in your gums and are trained to exclusively assess and treat this area of your mouth.

Gum Disease and You

Gum disease (and ultimately periodontal disease) is caused by a build-up of bacterial toxins found in plaque. If not removed regularly & effectively, the bacteria in plaque will irritate the gums, causing gum disease which will result in your gums becoming sore, inflamed and infected. As the plaque and bacteria grow, it will form little ‘pockets’ around the gum margin as bacteria is gradually pushed further down the tooth root, causing inflammation and infection. Plaque left undisturbed for some time can also form tartar (known as calculus) which in turn helps more plaque to gather and makes it harder to remove with your brush.

Remember: Healthy gums do not bleed

There are two main stages to gum disease:

Gingivitis

Thousands of people in the UK will currently have some form of mild gingivitis. The very early signs and symptoms can be subtle but if left untreated will develop into full blown gum disease.

• Puffy, swollen gums
• Gums that appear red
• Bleeding gums when brushing
• Gum recession (and the gradual appearance of ‘longer teeth’)
• Persistent bad breath
• Noticeable presence of plaque or tartar

At this stage, gum disease can usually be treated with 2-4 intensive professional cleaning visits. During these sessions, we will also show you the very best way to care for your teeth and gums at home, and provide you with a bespoke homecare regime designed to keep gum disease at bay for good.

The sooner we can diagnose gum disease, the easier and cheaper it will be to treat

Periodontitis (advanced periodontal disease)

Patients suffering from periodontal disease will usually be aware that they have a problem. These patients usually show all the signs of gingivitis and in addition may be suffering from:

• Loose or wobbly teeth
• Large gaps where tooth loss has already occurred
• A particularly strong and fowl smelling breath
• Gum abscesses and associated discomfort
• Difficulty in eating and chewing

Periodontal disease, if left undiagnosed or untreated, will almost certainly lead to tooth loss.
Periodontal disease is not always ‘curable’ but we can certainly drastically improve the symptoms.

Our experienced hygiene team at Ascent Dental Care Malvern will create a bespoke treatment and maintenance package designed to:

• Eliminate the bacterial toxins
• Remove build-up of hardened plaque (calculus)
• Remove infection
• Disinfect the gum tissue
• Implement & monitor an intensive home care regime based on individual needs
• Provide regular ‘deep cleaning’ treatments (usually 3-monthly)

A periodontal ‘treatment & maintenance” package, will in most cases, keep the symptoms of periodontal disease at bay and prevent further damage and tooth loss.

Professional Cleaning at our clinic in Malvern for dazzling teeth, fresher breath and squeaky clean gums

Hygienists do not just ‘clean teeth’, they are a crucial part of our dental team and work closely with the dentists to ensure that patients retain a healthy smile for as long as possible. The dentist and hygienist will assess the individual needs of our patients and will work together where necessary, to provide a treatment plan and options bespoke to each patient based on individual needs.

Benefits of visiting our hygienist at Ascent Dental Care Malvern

• Protects and maintains any complex dentistry such as dental implants or veneers
• Prevents gum disease
• Helps to effectively maintain patients who have periodontal disease
• Recommendations of the very best oral hygiene products
• Fresh breath
• Cleaner and whiter teeth
• Preventative approach to your entire dental health
• Monitor diet and sugar intake
• Help with smoking cessation

Whilst flossing between the teeth and brushing twice a day will help to remove the buildup of deposits it is recommended that patients visit the hygienist every 3-6 months for a ‘professional clean’ in order to remove bacteria and toxins from those hard to reach areas that brushing alone will not reach.