Gum Disease
Gum disease is common, and is due to the accumulation of bacteria on teeth. If advanced it can result in tooth loss. Early diagnosis is the key to successful treatment and this not only helps your teeth but can have general health benefits too.
What is gum disease?
We answer some common questions.
Dr Hannah Pepper (GDC no: 76037) is one of the most highly qualified dentists in the South West, with many years of experience in hospital surgery and in private practice. She runs a dental practice in Wells which takes referrals for gum (periodontal) disease treatment.​
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​What is gum disease?
Gum disease is an inflammatory disease. In the early stages it is known as gingivitis. The gums can look red and swollen, and may bleed when brushed. Gingivitis can progress to periodontitis where the inflammation is deeper and has affected the bone around the teeth. Without treatment periodontitis can result in teeth becoming loose and infected.
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How can I tell if I have gum disease?
Several types of sedation can be used, depending on the complexity of the procedure, the patient’s anxiety level and their overall health. Here's a breakdown of the most common options:
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Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas) is given via a nose mask that helps you breathe in the gas and air mixture. It is an effective but mild sedative and is particularly useful for children. It wears off very quickly.
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Oral Sedation uses tablets which have to be taken an hour or so before the dental treatment. It provides a moderate level of sedation. It is difficult to adjust during the treatment, as it takes time for it to work and it can also take time for it to wear off. You will need someone else to take you home.
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Intravenous or IV Sedation uses a cannula (a thin plastic tube) which is placed into a vein during the dental treatment. It provides the deepest level of sedation and you will need someone to take you home and look after you: it can take up to 24 hours for a full recovery.
What causes gum disease?
The culprit behind gum disease is plaque, a sticky film teeming with bacteria that forms on your teeth. If you don't remove plaque regularly through brushing, it hardens into tartar (calculus), which is like superglue for plaque. Plaque and tartar create a breeding ground for bacteria that release toxins, triggering an inflammatory response in your gums. There are individual factors that mean some people are more likely to be prone to gum disease, including a genetic predisposition, diabetes, smoking, stress and hormonal changes.
Why is it important to know if you have gum disease?
Knowing you have gum disease early on will help you to save your teeth. It is also important to keep your gums healthy, as gum disease can be associated with other diseases. There is strong evidence that treatment of gum disease can help diabetics manage their sugar control better, and sometimes gum disease is the first sign of diabetes. It is also thought to be associated with other diseases such as heart disease, strokes and dementia.
Is gum disease treatable?
Yes it is treatable.
The most important way of treating and/or preventing gum disease is spending some time cleaning your teeth using an electric toothbrush and interdental brushes twice every day. We recommend a regular check-up with your dentist, and regular hygiene visits. This helps with diagnosis, plaque removal and oral hygiene instruction. In more advanced disease it is necessary to see a specialist dentist.
How is gum disease treated?
The most important treatment is home-care through maintaining good oral hygiene. This is crucial for the long-term success of treatment and preventing gum disease from recurring. Your dentist and hygienist can help you with this.
Your dentist or hygienist will perform a professional cleaning, removing plaque and tartar build-up from your teeth, above and below the gum line. In more advanced disease, this takes more than one visit and involves numbing the gum. This type of cleaning goes beyond what you can achieve at home with regular brushing.
In severe cases where deep pockets persist or bone loss has occurred, gum surgery might be necessary.
It is crucial to reduce any risk factors such as smoking and to improve blood sugar levels in diabetes, as this will mean improvements in gum health and make any treatment more likely to be successful.
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