Periodontics is the field of dentistry that relates to treating, stabilising and preventing gum disease (periodontitis).
Why Is Plaque Problematic?
Gum disease is caused by bacterial plaque, which builds up in the mouth. The bacteria in plaque produce acids after you eat and drink. If you do not regularly and thoroughly brush your teeth, and you often enjoy high sugar and high acid food and drink, these acids can destroy the protective enamel coating on your teeth, and cause cavities and gum disease.
The early onset of gum disease is known as gingivitis, whilst the more advanced version is periodontal disease. Advanced gum disease can start to cause problems such as gum recession and the permanent loss of the supporting bone underneath.
Who Is At Risk Of Gum Disease?
Gingivitis affects a high percentage of the population. When it goes untreated, periodontitis can occur, which is when you start to become at risk of serious symptoms like loose teeth, and even tooth loss.
Some of the main risk factors for developing gum disease are:
- Smoking
- Poor oral hygiene
- Diabetes (Type 2)
- Certain medications
- Stress
- Pregnancy
- Obesity
In recent years, studies and research has shown that gum disease is also inextricably linked to wide health problems, such as heart disease, respiratory disease, Alzheimer’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and adverse pregnancy.
How Do I Know I Need Periodontal Treatment?
One of the challenging things about self-diagnosing gum disease, is that it does not present severe and painful symptoms until things become very advanced. Therefore, it’s so important to come in for routine hygienist appointments, as your dentist will be able to identify early warning signs, and act accordingly to help you treat and manage the disease.
Some red flags that could mean you have gum disease include:
- Bleeding gums when using dental floss.
- Chronic bad breath.
- Gaps appearing between your teeth.
- Loose teeth.
- Gum recession.
- Sensitivity to hot and cold foods.
How Is Gum Disease Treated?
The treatment we suggest will depend on the severity of the problem and your symptoms. Early signs such as a bit of bleeding when you floss can often be managed with a professional cleaning, called a scale and polish treatment.
At Bespoke Dental Fulham we highly recommend AIRFLOW® Prophylaxis Master, which is the latest EMS innovation for the Guided Biofilm Therapy: a unique solution for caries, periodontal prevention and maintenance. This will remove plaque and tartar from the gumline, reversing the inflammation that will have been causing the bleeding.
In every single case, we will look at providing the least invasive, non-surgical approach. Treatment such as root planing can decontaminate the area under the gum line and in your periodontal pockets, where plaque might have settled. We may also suggest adjunctive antimicrobial therapy, splinting of the teeth, and the development of a new, personalised homecare plan.
Do I Need Surgery?
The golden standard to treat and control gum disease is the non-surgical periodontal treatment. However, in some cases further treatment such as surgical corrective and regenerative procedures may be necessary to control gum disease.
Which Periodontal treatments do you offer?
Here, in Bespoke Dental Fulham our GDC registered specialist periodontist Dr George Xirogiannis, with clinical experience of over 15 years in Hospital and private practice, has successfully performed thousands of surgeries.
Below is a full list of the periodontal services we offer:
- Non-surgical periodontal treatment.
- Flap surgery.
- Gum graft surgery (root coverage).
- Single and multiple teeth recession.
- Regenerative procedures.
- Bone augmentation.
- Crown lengthening (gummy smile, aesthetic/functional).
- Frenectomy.
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