Gingivitis
Your gums become irritated by plaque deposits which can build up on your teeth. If plaque isn’t cleaned off and removed regularly, gingivitis can occur. Your gums become red, swollen and shiny, and may bleed when you brush. This is the early stage of gum disease, and is completely reversible. If the plaque is removed, your gums will recover and return to health. However, if the plaque is left on your teeth, the gingivitis may develop into periodontitis, a more serious condition.
Periodontal pockets
If you don’t effectively treat gingivitis, your gums may recede, pulling away from your teeth and leaving small pockets. These pockets trap plaque which can’t be reached with a toothbrush. Over time, the plaque will harden to become tartar, or calculus, causing further irritation which may gradually spread to the bone structures around your teeth. As time progresses, the pockets can get deeper and more difficult to clean, and your gum and bone may shrink. This is the next stage, periodontitis.
Periodontitis
If your gums shrink, they can expose some of the roots of your teeth, making them sensitive. Your teeth may become loose if you have suffered bone loss. If you don’t get treatment for a number of years, your teeth could fall out, or need to be taken out by a dentist. It is very rarely possible to make the bone structures grow back, so periodontitis is not reversible. However, if you receive the appropriate treatment and ensure you brush and floss your teeth well, the progress of the disease can be stopped.
Symptoms of gum disease
You may not be aware that you have gum disease, as often it is not painful and you may not get any symptoms. It’s very important to attend regular check ups with your dentist, who will look for the beginnings of the disease and help you reverse it if necessary.
The first signs of gingivitis are usually:
- Bleeding gums when you brush your teeth
- Red and swollen gums
If gingivitis has developed into periodontitis, you may experience:
- A bad taste in your mouth
- A wobbly tooth or teeth
- Gum abscesses (pus that collects under your gum)
Scaling
If you have gingivitis, we will clean your teeth thoroughly with a gritty toothpaste and special instruments called scalers. The treatment reaches below the gumline to remove plaque build up and restore your gums to health. We may also recommend an antiseptic mouthwash that will help to prevent plaque forming, and will provide guidance on how to brush and floss your teeth properly.
If gingivitis has developed into periodontitis, you may need more extensive scaling to remove plaque and tartar from the periodontal pockets. This can require several appointments. We may need to use local anaesthetic to completely block the feeling from your gums before beginning treatment. We will monitor the size of the periodontal pockets after treatment to ensure it has been successful and the periodontitis isn’t getting any worse.
Gum Surgery
You may need to have gum surgery if your gum disease is very severe, but this is rare. There are a number of surgical options that can help to build your gum tissue back up after it has shrunk due to gum disease. We refer you to a specialist periodontist for this treatment.
Prevention of gum disease
You can prevent gum disease easily by controlling the amount of plaque and tartar that builds up on your teeth. Regular visits to your dentist or hygienist, alongside brushing and flossing your teeth properly and stopping smoking will really help.
We recommend using dental floss or interdental brushes to remove plaque and small bits of food from the areas of your teeth and gums that a regular toothbrush can’t reach. You may prefer to use an electric toothbrush, which can be more efficient at removing plaque than manual toothbrushes. We can advise on the correct and most effective brushing technique to use.
Some antiseptic mouthwashes, combined with regular brushing, can reduce the amount of plaque bacteria present. There isn’t enough evidence to say whether mouthwash can help to prevent gum disease, however. It is important you don’t use an antiseptic mouthwash for too long, as it can stain your teeth. We are happy to advise you.
Even thorough brushing and flossing can’t remove every trace of plaque. Most people have irregularities in their teeth, where plaque can build up out of reach and harden into tartar. This can be removed at regular appointments with your hygienist.