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

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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.

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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

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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’

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