We believe in good foundations for your teeth and that means looking after your gum health is a high priority. Four dental hygienists, between our two practices work together with you, our patients, to help improve and maintain oral hygiene and oral health through periodontal treatments York. A significant proportion of patients attend 3 monthly, a service which is included, when needed, on Denplan.
The dentists may prescribe a specific course of gum treatment, or simply a regular maintenance regime which includes visits to the hygienist and guidance on ideal home care. Your gum health is a joint effort between your dental team and your daily dental care routine.
What are Periodontitis, Gingivitis, and Gum Disease?
Gum disease is manifested in two forms:
Gingivitis involves inflammation of the superficial gums but no bone loss.
Periodontitis is a disease that causes inflammation of the deeper gums, often remains unnoticed for years or decades in a patient and usually results in loss of supporting bone around teeth.
More teeth are lost through periodontal disease than tooth decay. The good news is that with early detection it is very treatable. Even in advanced cases, expert treatment alongside thorough home care can prolong the life of the teeth ensuring a healthy, confident smile.
The Progression of Gum Disease
Periodontitis is a common complaint affecting approximately 50% of UK adults over the age of 30 years. It occurs in people who have had a pre-existing gingivitis present over several years.
Gingivitis is itself caused by the accumulation of bacteria at the gum line (dental plaque) and if left untreated usually progresses to a more serious periodontitis.
Plaque present on the teeth for several days calcifies to form dental calculus (tartar) and this can be removed completely by the dentist or hygienist as part of your treatment for gingivitis and periodontitis.
Treatment of Gum Disease
We use professional (ultrasonic) instruments to remove bacterial plaque and calculus around teeth and below the gum-line. When deeper or more extensive scaling is required, local anaesthesia is commonly used to ensure comfort during this procedure.
We may prescribe antibiotics, where appropriate, as an adjunct during the gum healing process. In some instances local gum surgery to the affected tooth may help.
Prevention of Gum Disease
Daily oral hygiene is vital in preventing the onset and growth of gum disease. Good tooth brushing and interdental cleaning are vital in keeping teeth free from plaque-generating bacteria. Regular visits with our hygienists also help to maintain gum health and keep your teeth looking great.
Air Polishing
Air Polishing is a dental hygienist treatment that has been developed to keep your teeth clean and white. The Air Polishing technique is simple and painless; it uses air and water to deliver a controlled stream of stain-removing powder through a special nozzle.
Stains caused by tea, coffee, red wine and tobacco can all be removed using air polishing. Air Polishing is a cost effective way to keep your teeth really clean and can be done as part of your routine hygiene visits for a small additional fee.
Further information about periodontal health can be found on the British Society of Periodontology website.
