Gum Disease and Periodontitis
Screening for gum disease forms an integral part of your routine examination.
What is gum disease?
Gum disease describes swelling, soreness or infection of the tissues supporting the teeth. There are two main forms of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontal disease.
What is gingivitis?
Gingivitis means inflammation of the gums. This is when the gums around the teeth become very red and swollen. Often the swollen gums bleed when they are brushed during cleaning.
What is periodontal disease?
Long-standing gingivitis can turn into periodontal disease.
There are a number of types of periodontal disease and they all affect the tissues supporting the teeth.
As the disease gets worse the bone anchoring the teeth in the jaw is lost, making the teeth loosen. If this is not treated, the teeth may eventually fall out.
What is the cause of gum disease and periodontitis?
All gum disease is caused by plaque. Plaque is a film of bacteria that forms on the surface of the teeth and gums every day. Many of the bacteria in plaque are completely harmless, but there are some that have been shown to be the main cause of gum disease. To prevent and treat gum disease, you need to make sure you remove all the plaque from your teeth every day. This is done by brushing and flossing.
What happens if gum disease is not treated?
Unfortunately, gum disease progresses painlessly on the whole so that you do notice the damage it is doing. However, the bacteria are sometimes more active and this makes your gums sore. This can lead to gum abscesses, and pus may ooze from around the teeth. 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.
How do I know if I have gum disease?
The first sign is blood on the toothbrush or in the rinsing water when you clean your teeth. Your gums may also bleed when you are eating, leaving a bad taste in your mouth. Your breath may also become unpleasant.
Treatment
This treatment may be carried out over one or more appointments. Dentists are becoming increasingly aware that gum disease is influenced by many factors and has links with a person’s medical health.
Primarily, treatment involves removing plaque that is on or below the gumline, which is the primary cause of the inflammation that leads to gum disease. Throughout the treatment, our dentists will take the time to explain to you what has caused the gum disease and how you can take steps to reduce its symptoms through home care.
Usually, once you have completed a course of periodontal treatment, your dentist may recommend regular hygienist appointments to help prevent the symptoms from returning. Your dentist will also ask you to return to them for regular examinations to ensure that your gums remain healthy in the future and provide further advice on how to care for your gums.
If you are concerned about the health of your gums or need emergency dentist in Eastbourne, please contact our reception team to book in an examination with your dentist.
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