Periodontics And Hygiene

Periodontics is the area of dentistry that focuses on the structures that support the teeth, including the gums and jaw bone. Maintaining healthy gums and bone is essential for the health of the teeth themselves as well as the longevity of any treatments such as fillings and crowns.Periodontal (gum) disease is mainly caused by the build up of bacteria at the gumline. Plaque is a soft white build-up of bacteria which is removed by brushing; tartar or calculus is the hard, yellowish build-up that forms over a longer period and can only be removed by professional cleaning (scaling). There are other factors which can make you more at risk of gum disease such as smoking, poorly-controlled diabetes and stress.

Periodontal (gum) disease has 2 main stages:

• Gingivitis is the initial stage, with signs/symptoms including bleeding gums and a red, swollen appearance. It is usually fully reversible with improvement in oral hygiene and simple treatments such as scaling.
• Periodontitis is the second, more advanced form of gum disease that leads to loss of bone from around the teeth and spaces called ‘pockets’ forming inside the gums. If it is allowed to progress and is left untreated, teeth can gradually become loose and eventually fall out. The effects of periodontitis cannot be reversed and the aim of treatment is to stop the progression of the disease. Treatment usually involves deep cleaning below the gumline under simple local anaesthetic, but this can only work properly if you maintain excellent oral hygiene and other factors like smoking are addressed.

Your dentist at Park Vue will check the health of your gums at every check-up appointment and will screen for any signs of gum disease to allow early detection and treatment. They will also work closely with our team of hygienists to give you the best possible care for your teeth and gums.

See here for further information about our Hygiene appointments.