Gum Disease Management Dorset and Hampshire

Home Gum Disease Management Dorset and Hampshire

GUM DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Periodontitis also called gum disease, is a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue around teeth. Without treatment, periodontitis can destroy the bone that supports your teeth which can cause teeth to loosen or lead to tooth loss.

At The Ackerman Clinic, we endeavour to not only help you look after your teeth but strongly believe in educating our patients about this condition.

Periodontitis is common but can usually be prevented. Once you develop Periodontitis though, it needs active management. Given that it is a chronic, progressive and irreversible condition, there is no cure for Periodontitis. However, with timely treatment and a diligent home oral hygiene regime, together, we can increase the life of your teeth and stabilise the disease process.

Symptoms

Swollen or puffy gums.
Bright red, dark red or dark purple gums.
Gums that feel tender when touched.
Gums that bleed easily.
Bad breath that won’t go away.
Pus between your teeth and gums.
Loose teeth or loss of teeth.
New spaces that develop between your teeth that look like black triangles.
Gums that pull away from your teeth, making your teeth look longer than usual, called receding gums.
A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite.

Causes

In most cases, the development of periodontitis starts with plaque and tartar.

Plaque is a sticky film mainly made up of bacteria which hardens into tartar.

Risk factors

Factors that can increase your risk of periodontitis include:

Poor oral health care habits.
Smoking or chewing tobacco.
Hormonal changes, such as those related to pregnancy or menopause.
Recreational drug use, such as smoking marijuana or vaping.
Obesity.
Poor nutrition, including a low vitamin C level.
Genetics.
Certain medicines that cause dry mouth or gum changes.
Conditions that lower immunity, such as leukemia, HIV/AIDS and cancer treatment.
Certain diseases, such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease.

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to thoroughly clean the pockets around teeth and prevent damage to surrounding gum tissue and bone, allowing the disease process to stabilise.

Nonsurgical treatments

If periodontitis isn’t advanced, treatment may involve less invasive procedures,

including:

Scaling. Scaling removes tartar and bacteria from your tooth surfaces and below your gumline.
Root planing. Root planing smooths the root surfaces which helps prevent further build-up of tartar and bacteria.
Antibiotics. Topical or oral antibiotics can help control bacterial infection.

Surgical treatments

If you have advanced periodontitis, you may need dental surgery, such as:

Flap surgery, also called pocket reduction surgery to eliminate periodontal pockets and help your gums heal.
Soft tissue grafts to help cover gum recession.
Bone grafting and Guided tissue Regeneration to augment bone support for your teeth.
Tissue-stimulating proteins when applied to root surfaces encourage growth of healthy bone and tissue.

FAQ’s

Why do some people get Periodontal Disease and others don’t?

Around 10% of the population is susceptible. Our knowledge is improving all the time of why this is, although 3 major factors are thought to be responsible. Family history, stress and smoking are all important risk factors. Stopping smoking is an important part of reducing the risk of developing the disease. Certain general diseases such as diabetes may also make an individual more susceptible.

What should I do if I think I may have Periodontitis?

Regular examinations by your dentist will ensure that the right diagnosis is made. Your dentist will be able to advise you about any necessary treatment or refer you for specialised periodontal assessment and treatment.

Alternatively, please feel free to book in for a consultation with our experienced surgeon at The Ackerman Clinic, who will ensure that your concerns are addressed in a caring and evidence-based manner.

Is it worth having Periodontal Treatment?

The short answer is yes—without proper treatment, the condition can worsen and lead to more serious complications. Periodontal treatment can help stop the disease’s progression and promote healthy gums and teeth.

Monday	08.00 - 17.00
Tuesday	08.00 - 17.00
Wednesday	08.00 - 17.00
Thursday	08.00 - 17.00
Friday	08.00 - 13.00