We specialise in treating gum disease and have 3 in-house Specialist Periodontists (gum Specialists), Dr Pedja Pavlovic, Dr Divya Patel and Dr Federico Moreno.
Gum disease or gingivitis means, quite literally, inflammation of the gingivae or gums. Gum problems occur when there is inflammation or infection of the supporting tissues of the teeth. There are two main forms of gum disease:
- Gingivitis is when the gums are affected superficially.
- Periodontitis is when the deeper structures are affected such as the bone holding the teeth in place.
Of the two conditions periodontitis is the more severe disease, although long standing gingivitis may lead to periodontitis.
If gingivitis is present, the gums will be red in colour rather than the usual healthy pink. They will also tend to be slightly puffy or swollen. Inflamed gums also bleed, usually when tooth brushing or biting into something such as an apple or even a banana. Gums may also bleed of their own accord, you may wake up in the morning with blood on your pillow. The major cause of gingivitis is dental plaque. Plaque is the soft sticky build-up of bacteria that collects on the tooth surfaces and other parts of the mouth. If the plaque is allowed to collect around the necks of the teeth (where the teeth meet the gums), the gums become inflamed and gingivitis can occur. Some of the plaque bacteria are harmful and can cause gum disease. Plaque can become hardened (mineralised) and form into a hard surface layer of tartar (calculus). The bacteria in the tartar continue to attack the tissues that support the tooth roots. You can prevent plaque and tartar formation by brushing thoroughly twice a day, ensuring the bristles gently touch the gum line. Cleaning in between your teeth with interdental brushes is also very important.
Gingivitis can affect anyone at any age, although it is less likely to be seen in younger children. Mild cases may go unnoticed for some time and there may be no symptoms during the early stages of the disease. However, if left untreated, gingivitis can gradually progress, resulting in the destruction of the tooth attachment and the bone around the teeth. This causes the affected tooth or teeth to become loose. It is best to visit a Dentist or Hygienist as soon as it is suspected that gingivitis is present so that treatment can begin promptly to prevent the condition from worsening. The Dentist or Hygienist will carry out a thorough examination and will treat the condition.
The first step is to make sure that your teeth are brushed regularly and effectively, and making sure that the toothbrush is applied correctly to the gum margin at the neck of the tooth. A soft or medium bristled brush should be used, brush all the outside surfaces of the teeth and gums gently and thoroughly with a circular motion. Next, open the mouth and do the same to the
inside surfaces of the top teeth and the inside surfaces of the lower teeth next to the tongue. Finally, brush all the biting surfaces, spit the toothpaste out but don’t rinse your mouth. If you spit blood into the basin this is a sign of gingivitis or periodontitis. Interdental brushes should be used daily to clean between the teeth where the toothbrush bristles cannot access. Your Hygienist can advise you further on your technique, your gum condition, and using an electric toothbrush.
The Dentist or Hygienist will also remove any hardened deposits in your mouth (tartar) that may be helping the plaque to congregate, for example, the tartar that collects behind the bottom front teeth (incisors) and the outsides of the upper cheek teeth (molars). The process of removing these hard deposits is known as scaling and may be carried out using hand instruments or with ultrasonic technology. The soft plaque and stain is removed with air-flow or perio-flow technology, this is the modern way of polishing teeth
