Keeping your gums healthy is essential for your overall oral wellbeing, to prolong the life of your teeth and to enhance your smile
Your gums and jawbone are the foundations of your teeth, giving them support and keeping them in position. That is why it is so important to pay careful attention to your gum health and not to ignore warning signs such as bleeding after brushing or swelling.
Healthy gums look pink and feel firm to the touch. Regular brushing and flossing are essential to maintain gum health and there are special mouthwashes you can purchase to treat the initial stages of gum disease at home. Regular appointments with our hygienists are also necessary to avoid gum disease.
If the gums are neglected, soft plaque and hard tartar can build up causing you to experience symptoms such as discomfort, inflammation and bad breath – also known as gingivitis. The second stage of gum disease is called periodontitis and can cause abscesses, pain, loosening teeth and, in extreme cases, can lead to tooth loss.
Poor oral hygiene, smoking, a sugary diet, certain diseases and medications all contribute to gum disease, which is believed to affect one in three adults over 35. Medical research has also shown that if left untreated, gum disease can be linked with an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease and Alzheimer’s. It is therefore advisable that you seek our help if you notice ongoing gum disease symptoms which do not get better after a few weeks of home treatment.
How to Avoid Gum Disease
At The Dental & Cosmetic Clinic we are pleased to offer patients Perioflow Gum Cleaning, an advanced and deep cleaning technique for gums performed by our hygienists. Using our Airflow Tooth Polishing system, the special Perioflow nozzle tackles gum disease by spraying dental disinfectant to affected areas. This helps to remove pockets of bacteria that can form around the gum.
Perioflow cleaning is also an excellent cleaning technique for our dental implant patients. It removes plaque build up from an implant’s surface and prevents peri-implantitis (an inflammatory process which adversely affects the soft tissue and bone supporting an implant).
We also offer root surface debridement, suitable for patients who are experiencing advanced gum disease or periodontitis. This entails a deep clean of the tooth’s root to remove harmful bacteria and is a delicate, intricate treatment performed under local anaesthetic.
While we aim to treat gum disease in-house, sometimes patients require advanced treatment. In such cases, we will refer you to a specialist.
To book a dental hygienist appointment or to see one of our dentists, please click here or call 0116 2785611.
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