HYGIENE + PERIODONTICS

HYGIENE & PERIODONTICS

Dental Hygiene and Treating Gum Disease in Sidcup

Periodontics and dental hygiene are closely linked: whereas periodontics is the area of dentistry concerned with treating gum disease, dental hygiene is all about preventing it from happening in the first place. At Smile Sensations, we advise patients to combine a good cleaning regime at home with regular check-ups at the dentist and visits to the hygienist for a scale and polish. Follow this advice and you may never have to experience the discomfort, inconvenience and costs associated with treating advanced periodontal disease.

Gum disease – why prevention pays

Many people associate gum disease with old age – not for nothing is the phrase ‘long in the tooth’ so commonly used. But gum disease actually starts young and progresses very slowly – so it can be easy to ignore the signs and symptoms. If you fail to visit the dentist and hygienist regularly and neglect your oral hygiene at home, you can live with gum disease for decades – until the moment when your teeth start falling out, and visiting the dentist becomes an expensive, and time-consuming, necessity.

But it doesn’t have to be this way! Gum disease in its early stages is completely reversible with a good routine of regular brushing, flossing and mouthwash - alongside regular check-ups with your dentist and scale-and-polish treatments with the hygienist at Smile Sensations. It’s that simple!

It’s been proven that good oral health mitigates against a host of conditions associated with age and lifestyle – from Type 2 diabetes to heart disease, high cholesterol, stroke and some cancers. Looking after your teeth and gums means you’re looking after your future – your body, your wellbeing and your quality of life will all benefit. (Your future bank balance will thank you for it too!)

Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT CAUSES GUM DISEASE?

Gum disease is caused by plaque and tartar. Plaque is a sticky film that continually builds up around the gum line; a breeding ground for the harmful bacteria that cause cavities and decay. Plaque needs to be controlled by daily brushing and flossing – if not, it will harden into tartar, which is more difficult to remove, speeding up the progression of gum disease.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF GUM DISEASE?

Sore, bleeding or swollen gums, and bad breath, are signs that you have gingivitis – the earliest stage of gum disease. If left untreated, gingivitis develops into periodontitis, when the gums begin to recede and pull away from the teeth. As disease progresses, it moves from the gums to the ligaments and bone, ultimately leading to tooth loss. While gingivitis can be eliminated through good oral hygiene, periodontitis may require more extensive treatment.

How is periodontitis treated?

Depending on the severity of the case, treatments for periodontitis include tooth scaling and root planing, in which the dentist removes plaque and tartar above and below the gum line, and in the area around the tooth root. The next stage is flap surgery, in which the dentist opens up the gum to remove tartar, and closes it with stitches to restore it to the correct position, hugging the teeth. In severe cases, bone or tissue grafts may be required to regenerate lost bone so that the jaw can support a dental restoration.

WHAT IS A SCALE AND POLISH?

A scale and polish is the regular treatment carried out by your hygienist. Essentially a professional deep clean, the procedure involves scraping away visible tartar and plaque, and polishing the teeth to remove stains and smooth rough patches, mitigating against further plaque build-up.