Gum Disease and the Dental Hygienist

Bleeding gums are the early sign of Gum Disease, also known as Gingivitis; if treated early we can prevent it from worsening to the later stage of the disease, known as Periodontitis, which causes gum recession and bone loss; the gums become more prone to infections, and the teeth will loosen and eventually fall out.

The disease is painless to begin with, and progression can be so gradual that many people will not notice it until the teeth are beyond saving. Regular visits to our Dentists will allow them to detect the early signs of gum disease; they can refer you to the Dental Hygienist who will be able to treat and reverse the disease.

Dental Hygienists have a specialist role in preventing gum disease and decay. Hygienists are trained to thoroughly clean around all your teeth and gums, including the surfaces under the gumline and between the teeth that you cannot normally see. The Hygienist offers advice and support for you to be able to maintain their good work at home.

What causes Gum Disease?

The most common cause of gum problems is poor oral hygiene, which allows plaque to collect around the edges of the teeth and gums. Plaque is the whitish deposit of food and bacteria that collects over your teeth throughout the day. The bacteria produce chemicals that weaken the tooth enamel and irritate the gums causing inflammation and bleeding. Teeth that are tightly crowded or crooked are difficult to keep plaque-free, and the remaining plaque can harden with calcium to form tartar, which can only be cleaned away using our specialist equipment.

Some other risk factors affecting gum health are as follows:

• Smoking inhibits the proper healing of gum tissue
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Stress levels that are high enough to lower your immune response
• Certain medications can affect gum healing
• Hormones released during Pregnancy can make the gums more prone to inflammation

Most of these risk factors can be controlled to a certain extent.

How is gum disease treated?

Good oral healthcare is much more than just a simple ‘scale and polish’; depending on your dental health needs we may recommend one appointment or a series of appointments with our Dental Hygienist. When we diagnose gum disease in its early stages, our treatment approach involves cleaning and scaling of your teeth, and showing you how to clean your teeth most effectively. If the disease is more advanced, then thorough and deeper cleaning is required, we will use a local anaesthetic to minimize any potential discomfort. Severe cases of gum disease will require referral to a Periodontal Specialist for treatment.

How can gum disease be prevented?

You can prevent gum disease by visiting your Dentist and Hygienist regularly and following a good dental hygiene program. Prevention is better than cure, and it is down to you to look after your teeth and gums. Following this ‘home-based’ routine can help prevent the onset of gum problems:

• Brush at least twice a day for two minutes each time, especially before bedtime, using a fluoride toothpaste
• Use a powered toothbrush with a compact brush-head
• The surfaces between the teeth that cannot be reached by the brush should be cleaned at the end of the day using floss, tape, interdental brushes, etc.
• Antibacterial mouthrinses can be useful to help reduce the bleeding, but should not be used exclusively over brushing and flossing

The Hygienist Team at Cirencester Dental and Aesthetics welcomes the opportunity to work with you treat and prevent gum disease.

We offer Direct Access Hygienist appointments so anyone who is not registered with us can still book to see a Hygienist for treatment.

How to brush

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