Daily brushing and cleaning between teeth are important to your dental health because they remove plaque. Plaque is a thin, sticky film that constantly forms on the teeth. Bacteria in plaque produce acids after a sugary meal, and these acids attack the tooth surface and lead to tooth decay. If plaque is not removed with daily brushing, it eventually hardens onto calculus (tartar). As calculus forms near the gums, the gums become irritated and inflamed. They become swollen and may bleed. If the inflammation persists, the gums begin to pull away from the teeth and form pockets which may become infected. Further progress of this disease will lead to destruction of the bone supporting the teeth. The teeth will start to move and may eventually be lost.

77% of adults aged 16 to 24, and 87% of adults over 55 have some degree of gum disease. There are usually NO symptoms until it is too late to save the tooth! In most cases the disease progresses very slowly and can be slowed down to a rate that should allow you to keep most of your teeth for life. However, a small percentage of people suffer from a severe, aggressive form of the disease and may lose their teeth in early middle age.

Initial signs of gum disease may be bleeding on the toothbrush or in the rinsing water when you clean your teeth. Gums may also bleed when eating, leaving a bad taste in the mouth. Your breath may also become unpleasant.

A thorough examination of the teeth and gums is essential to detect periodontal disease. The dentist can measure the ‘cuff’ round each tooth to check for evidence of bone loss. A panoramic radiograph is useful to assess all the teeth and gums and define the areas which need most attention. The basis of good periodontal treatment is the thorough cleaning of the teeth and gums. A qualified hygienist will be able to remove all the calculus deposits, and point out the areas in the mouth which would need special attention. Gross calculus deposits are removed by means of an ultrasonic scaler, and hand instruments are used to remove the fine residual deposits. People who suffer from sensitive teeth may opt to have this scaling procedure done under local anaesthesia.

The maintenance phase of periodontal treatment consists of good daily brushing at home. A good toothbrush of the right size for the mouth should be selected. Other adjuncts such as interdental brushes, water picks, and dental floss will be useful for selected areas. Sometimes a medicated toothpaste and/or mouthwash may be prescribed. It is important that regular visits with the hygienist are kept. These are usually on a 6 or 9 monthly basis, but high risk cases may even need a review every 3 months.

Most patients respond to periodontal treatment, and bleeding from the gums is drastically reduced. In selected cases, where bleeding seems to persist, it may be advisable to sterilize the existing gum pockets by laser.