Periodontics is the area of dentistry that deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of gum disease, which includes the gums, bone, and supporting tissues of the teeth. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults.
Symptoms of gum disease can include:
One of the problematic aspects of identifying gum disease is that it rarely causes pain (often, patients don’t realise they have it). Despite this, the effects of gum disease can be catastrophic, causing tooth loss and wider health problems.
Attending routine hygienist check-ups is crucial for diagnosing and treating gum disease before it becomes serious. Your hygienist performs routine scale and polish cleaning to remove plaque and tartar.
Gum disease treatment at Hazelwood Dental
If your dentist or hygienist identifies symptoms of advancing or advanced gum disease (clinically known as periodontal disease), a tailored gum health plan can be collated to reverse the effects.
Your gum disease treatment plan may include one or more of the following techniques:
Scale and polish: A scale and polish is a routine cleaning process used to remove plaque and tartar (harmful by-products produced after you eat) from your gum line.
At Hazelwood, we’ve invested in sophisticated ultrasonic scaling to clean your teeth. This method is highly effective in breaking up the bacteria, which is then rinsed away with a jet of water.
It is also effective for gently cleaning underneath the gum line where the tooth roots are located (patients with sensitivity are often surprised at how discomfort-free this process is).
Root planing and debriding: This process is used to address plaque and tartar that have reached underneath your gum line and settled on your tooth roots. This becomes possible once gum disease starts to erode your gums and create pockets within the tissue.
Using root planing and debriding, your hygienist or dentist can remove the plaque and tartar. As the roots are smoothened in the process, the gums are encouraged to reattach to the teeth. We use our minimally invasive ultrasonic hand scaler to ensure you are comfortable throughout the procedure.
Gum recession treatment: As gum disease progresses, it can erode the gums and expose the dentin underneath them (which is more vulnerable to decay than your enamel).
A gum graft can be performed to replace the lost gum structure, which protects your teeth whilst improving the gum-to-tooth ratio.
Bone regeneration: Advanced gum disease (periodontal disease) can go on to damage the jawbone sitting underneath the diseased gums.
With a bone graft, we can create healthy new bone to replace bone lost through gum disease.
We take the welfare of our patients extremely seriously, and we will always make clinical decisions that put your long-term medical well-being first.
Our practice is designed to provide a calm and comfortable experience, with a focus on personalised care to meet your unique needs. We use ultrasonic hand scaling equipment and Airflow® tooth polishing to remove plaque and tartar from every last corner of your mouth. What’s more, this method is known for being gentle on your teeth.
Our promise to you:
“I had a tooth extraction with Dr Femi and his nurse, Christine, today; they are the best! I was very nervous, and they both made...”
“I’m so happy I’ve been given the all-clear after being fitted with dental implants. Thank you, Dr Hussein Asaria, for performing the surgery with minimal...”
“I was a nervous patient and was worried about having my tooth taken out. Dr Femi and his nurse were so amazing. I had a...”
“Dear Hazelwood Dental Practice, just to let you know that Femi and Christina did a fantastic job on my mother removing 3 front teeth. She...”
“First-class treatment that is professionally delivered in high-quality surroundings. Everything was carefully planned, fully explained and executed without complication. Costs were comparable with what one...”
“I was referred by my dentist to Hazelwood Dental Practice to investigate pain in a tooth which I had a root canal done many years...”
“I came for a wisdom tooth extraction as my dentist referred me because no matter how much anaesthetic was used, I could feel everything! (5...”
“After visiting several dentists in London, this dentist offered treatment and a plan after an initial enquiry over the phone. The cost was clear, and...”
“I had a dental referral to Hazelwood Dental Practice. I must say their services are excellent, and the doctors are all amazing. They took my...”
“Dr Jaideep Patel was just amazing. It was the 3rd time that I’ve ever had root canal treatment, but with him, it was completely painless...”
Gum disease is caused by a build-up of plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that forms daily on the surface of teeth and gums and causes enamel to decay.
If plaque is not removed by twice-daily brushing and regular interdental cleaning, it builds up over time, becoming hard and forming what is known as tartar that brushing alone cannot remove.
When untreated, gum disease can go on to eat away at the supporting structures underneath your teeth (your gums and jawbone).
Yes. Gum disease can return at any stage.
However, routine hygienist appointments will allow your hygienist to keep an eye on any concerning symptoms and address them before they become serious.
Heart disease and diabetes have well-established links to advanced gum disease.
Uncontrolled diabetes leads to higher glucose levels in the mouth, which can encourage gum disease-causing bacteria to thrive.
Meanwhile, plaque that enters through pockets in your gum line (caused by gum disease) can enter the bloodstream to become arterial plaque. Once the arteries are constricted, this can lead to heart disease and heart attacks.
Almost half of the adults suffer from gum disease.
The good news is that it’s a completely preventable condition. You can prevent gum disease by:
Yes. Gum disease can do damage without causing any pain.
If you have been diagnosed with gum disease, we recommend accepting the treatment proposed by your hygienist. Without this, it could progress to an advanced stage and cause tooth loss and wider health conditions.
