Posts tagged “gum disease”

May 26th, 2017

Taking Care of Gum Disease: What We Can Do to Help

Did you know that gum disease is the most common cause of tooth loss in adults living in Great Britain? Gum disease can be very serious, but the good news is that it is preventable. Here are some tips to help you protect your gums and some more information about the services we offer to prevent and treat gum disease.

What you can do at home

Gum disease occurs when bacteria present in plaque irritates the gums. This causes them to become red, swollen, and sore. Many people first suspect that they may have gum disease when they notice traces of blood after spitting when they clean their teeth. To prevent gum disease, the best thing you can do is try and eliminate the chances of plaque forming in the first place. Brushing twice-daily and daily flossing help to remove bacteria and food debris before they can combine with saliva to form plaque. Your diet is also really important. Try and make sure that you stick to your recommended daily intake of sugar and avoid snacking throughout the day.

We also recommend attending regular check-ups. Our dentists are trained to detect the very early warning signs of gum disease, and they can address potential problems before they become more advanced. Ideally, we recommend 6-12 monthly checks. However, if you notice symptoms, call and book an appointment as soon as possible.

Treating gum disease

In the early stages, gum disease (gingivitis) is relatively easy to manage. However, if it is left to progress, it can cause irreparable damage to the gums. The bone tissue, which supports the teeth and gums also becomes damaged, and this results in the teeth becoming loose and eventually falling out. Treatment for advanced gum disease (periodontitis) involves long-term management, frequent cleaning and plaque and tartar removal treatments and sometimes even surgery.

If you’re keen to find out more about gum disease, call us today.

Tags: Advice, gum disease, oral health, periodontitis
Posted in Uncategorized |

April 28th, 2017

How to treat Swellings

Swelling is often a sign of underlying dental issues. If you have swollen gums or your tooth is very painful and the surrounding area of gum tissue is inflamed, we urge you to get in touch. The sooner we see you, the sooner we can help you to feel more comfortable.

What causes swelling?

Swelling is most commonly associated with a dental abscess. An abscess is a fluid-filled sore, which can be found in the tooth or between the tooth and the gum. Abscesses are usually very painful, and they can cause acute throbbing pain. If you have an abscess, the area of gum surrounding the tooth may be swollen and tender, and you may also have a high temperature and feel unwell. If you have an abscess, you need to see a dentist. Dental abscesses are not treated in the same way as other types of abscess. Often, antibiotics are prescribed for abscesses, but with dental abscesses, the sore needs to be drained and removed.

Swelling can also be a sign of gum disease. If the gums are swollen, and they feel sore, this may indicate that you have gingivitis or periodontal disease. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease, while periodontal disease is more advanced. Other signs you may spot include bleeding when you brush and tenderness. If you think you may have gum disease, it’s wise to see your dentist. Mild gum disease can be treated fairly easily, but severe cases require intensive treatment.

If you have a swollen tooth or your gums are inflamed, don’t suffer in silence. Call us now, and we’ll do our best to have you free from pain in no time.

Tags: Abcess, Dental Pain, gum disease, Swellings
Posted in Dental Hygiene |

August 19th, 2016

The Different Types of Gum Disease

We’ve all heard of gum disease, but many of us don’t know much about the different types, or what to do about it when it strikes. Luckily, we’re on hand to talk you through the ins and outs and offer our expert advice to anyone suffering with poorly gums.

Types of gum disease

Gingivitis: This is gum disease in its mildest form and is caused by plaque irritating the gums.

Periodontitis: This is a more severe form of gum disease and signs include the gums pulling away from the teeth.

Acute Necrotising Ulcerative Gingivitis (ANUG): If periodontitis isn’t treated, this is what you might end up with. This very severe form of gum disease can cause your teeth to fall out.

What are the signs of gum disease

At first, many people don’t even realise they’ve got gum disease. It can start off pain and symptom-free, which is why it’s important to see a dentist every six to nine months. They’ll be able to spot hidden signs and stop gum disease in its tracks.

Gingivitis starts off with bleeding gums when you brush your teeth, and they might feel a bit swollen or look red. If you don’t get this sorted, periodontitis will show its face. This can cause wobbly teeth, nasty abscesses and an unpleasant taste in your mouth. When ANUG makes an appearance, you might experience smelly breath, bleeding ulcers and receding gums. You might also feel generally poorly and run down.

How is gum disease treated?

This all sounds horrible, doesn’t it? Well the good news is, there are treatments available for early stage gum disease and as long as that gets treated, you don’t need to worry about the really nasty stuff. Gingivitis can be banished with a good scaling session. This involves your dentist or hygienist cleaning your teeth with a special toothpaste, an electric toothbrush and a funny instrument called a scaler. Your dentist might also suggest using antiseptic mouthwash to stop those gums from bleeding.

For severe gum disease, surgery is often the answer. But this is only really carried out in rare circumstances.

You can keep gum disease at bay by making sure your dental hygiene routine is on point. And don’t forget those regular check-ups!

Tags: gingivitis, gum disease, oral health, periodontitis
Posted in Uncategorized |