Post on 08-Mar-2016
description
H e a l t h y g u m s
c h a p t e rt h r e e
Healthy teeth and gums are essential - not
only for eating but it aids speech, overall
maintaining good health. They also form
the internal scaffolding to the face, keeping
in place soft tissue and lips and helping
you sustain a youthful appearance.
O ra l h e a l t h a n d we l l b e i n g
There’s a direct correlation between oral
health and overall health. Scientists world
wide agree that periodontitis (gum disease
such as bleeding gums, excess tartar,
unstable teeth, bad taste and bad breath)
can be a significant cause of diabetes, heart
disease, low birth weight and pneumonia.
t h e f o u n d a t i o n o f a p e r f e c t s m i l e
SmileScription™
1 2
G i n g i v i t i s
Gingivitis is swelling of the gums. The gums become
red and swollen, indicating the area has become
inflamed through plaque colonisation (‘excess plaque’
in layman’s terms?) The condition is reversible but
if left untreated can lead to periodontal disease.
‘Myth: If you brush your teeth too hard your gums will bleed.’
Healthy, vital gums should not bleed when brushed.
If they do bleed, it’s most likely due to inflammation,
plaque build-up or, in some cases, systemic disease.
Pe r i o d o n t a l d i s e a s e
Persistent inflammation of the gums
(gingivitis) can lead to periodontal disease,
which can present in a variety of forms,
all of which affect gums and bone.
In periodontitis the bone anchoring the
teeth in the jaw is lost leading to gaps,
loose teeth and shrinking gums, and, if
left untreated, the teeth may fall out.
T h e r e a r e t w o s i m p l e s t a g e s t o g u m d i s e a s e :
‘Regular professional cleaning and proper oral care at home can help prevent gum disease’
Gum disease is inflammation or infection
of the tissue supporting the teeth.
Without thorough tooth brushing, regular
flossing and frequent dental checkups
an accumulation of plaque will build up.
G u m D i s e a s e –
p e r i o d o n t i t i s / g i n g i v i t i s
Plaque contains millions of bacteria which,
if not removed, will stagnate, causing
inflammation and infection. Other factors
causing gum disease are poor general
health, smoking and stress as well as
hereditary and systemic conditions.
SmileScription™
1 2
W h a t d o I n e e d t o k n ow ?
All patients should see a dentist or hygienist
on a regular basis. The timing of these
appointments is dependent on your oral
health and general medical health.
If you have gum disease or have had
it in the past I recommend you visit
the hygienist every three months. This
enables the hygienist to monitor your
gums’ condition. Maintaining a healthy
mouth is like building a house - your
teeth need strong foundations – good
gums. Without a set of healthy gums
– you cannot maintain a healthy smile.
Anaesthesia: local anaesthetic may be
prescribed for certain conditions.
Number of visits: one
Not all hygienists are the same. As well as
treating patients, the job of a good dental
hygienist is to educate and advise patients
on their home care regime. A good dental
hygienist should also record gum condition,
measuring bone loss using the BPE index.
You must accept, though, that thorough
removal of plaque above, below and
in between teeth (interdental brushes
are excellent for this) takes time.
Never accept a 10-minute scale and
polish – you can’t rush things if you
want to keep your teeth for life.
Pr o t e c t yo u r s m i l e
Proper oral care starts with
simple at home regime
1. Use a medium / soft small
headed toothbrush and
replace every three months.
2. When brushing the teeth, you
should spend 2-3 minutes,
ideally after each meal and
before bedtime to remove
all cavity-forming bacteria
and prevent gum disease.
3. Be careful not to brush hard, as
this can cause gums to recede
and tooth substance to be lost.
4. Instead brush gently in small
circular motions at 45o angle.
5. Flossing is so important – do it
after every meal sliding up and
down the side of the tooth.
I n d i c a t i o n s o f g u m d i s e a s e
Bleeding
Redness and swelling
Bone loss
Gum recession
Sensitivity
Bad breath
Tooth movement
Tooth loss
Periodontitis and the destruction of
bone is not reversible. The damage to
the bone can be halted and maintained
but the bone will not grow back.
‘Myth: Growing ‘long in the tooth’ is an
unavoidable consequence of ageing.’
With regular visits to the hygienist and
good dental care a smile can last for life.
Tr e a t i n g g u m d i s e a s e
Early stages of gum disease often
cause little or no discomfort, which
means the condition may remain
undetected for some time.
Initial treatment normally involves
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
removal of plaque and tartar,
allowing the inflammation to
subside and the gums to heal.
At this point your dentist or hygienist should
set up a basic periodontal examination
(BPE) and pocket charting record to
monitor progress of your gum disease.
Ca n g u m d i s e a s e r e t u r n ?
Periodontal disease/bone loss is not
reversible, but it can be contained
through good oral hygiene, regular
maintenance and visits to the dentist.
A n t i b i o t i c s
Where gum disease persists,
antibiotics may be prescribed, usually
for a three-month period, which can
lead to significant improvement.
However, where periodontal disease
persists you should be offered a referral to
a periodontist - a specialist in gum disease
who can provide options such as gum
surgery, bone replacement and adjunctive
treatment which may include???
x-rays and bone measurement.
‘Helping patients achieve beautiful
teeth and healthy gums produces
people who love their smile’
SmileScription™
1 2