Periodontal Treatment

It is possible to fully cure gum disease but with meticulous oral hygiene and professional ongoing care it is possible to stabilise gum disease. With timely intervention and excellent oral hygiene patients with gum disease or periodontal disease can improve their gum health significantly and prevent further progression of the disease.

Initial treatment will involve educating and ensuring excellent oral hygiene routines are followed combined with non surgical debridement under local anaesthetic. If it is found that the gum disease is not responding well to non-surgical treatments then our periodontist may seek alternative methods utilising surgical methods to gain control of the disease.

Periodontal disease itself is not directly contagious, but the bacteria that cause gum disease can be transferred through saliva. This means activities such as sharing utensils, kissing, or using someone else’s toothbrush can spread harmful bacteria.
However, simply having the bacteria does not guarantee that gum disease will develop. Your susceptibility depends on factors such as oral hygiene, immune response, smoking, and overall health.

Consistent home care and timely periodontal disease treatment help prevent these bacteria from causing damage.

Yes. Untreated periodontal disease is linked to several systemic health conditions because bacteria and inflammation from the gums can enter the bloodstream. Research has shown associations with:

• Heart disease and stroke
• Diabetes (poor control and increased complications)
• Respiratory infections
• Pregnancy complications (low birth weight, premature birth)
• Rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions

Effective periodontal treatment not only protects your gums and teeth but can also contribute to better overall health. Maintaining periodontal stability reduces chronic inflammation in the body and lowers related health risks.

If periodontal disease is active and left untreated then there is a real risk that you can lose your teeth. This is because the inflammatory response that occurs in reaction to excessive plaque and bacterial build up results in the destruction of the bone that holds your teeth in. If the bone resorbs significantly this will result in teeth becoming mobile and eventually to being lost.

Periodontal disease in the area where the teeth have been removed may resolve. However if other periodontally involved teeth are still present, the bacteria responsible for the gum disease will still be present and can continue to cause inflammation and damage to the remaining structures.

The time it takes to get gum disease under control can vary depending on several factors, including the severity of the disease, the effectiveness of treatment, the patient’s oral hygiene habits, and their overall health. In general, it can take several weeks to several months to get gum disease under control and stabilise the condition.

Here are some general timelines for getting gum disease under control:

1. Initial treatment phase: The initial phase of treatment for gum disease typically involves professional dental cleanings, scaling and root planing (deep cleaning), and possibly antibiotic therapy to reduce the inflammation and infection in the gums. This phase may take several weeks to complete, depending on the extent of the disease.

2. Follow-up appointments: After the initial treatment phase, follow-up appointments with our periodontist are important to monitor the progress of the treatment, assess the health of the gums, and make any necessary adjustments to the treatment plan. These follow-up visits may occur every few weeks to a few months, depending on the individual’s response to treatment.

3. Maintenance phase: Once gum disease is under control, it is essential to maintain good oral hygiene habits and attend regular dental check-ups and cleanings to prevent the recurrence of the disease. This ongoing maintenance phase is crucial for managing gum disease in the long term and preventing complications.

It is important to work closely with our dental professionals to develop a personalised treatment plan and follow their recommendations for managing gum disease effectively. By following a comprehensive oral hygiene routine, attending regular dental visits, and adopting healthy lifestyle habits, you can help control gum disease and maintain the health of your gums and teeth over time.

Smoking is one of the strongest risk factors for periodontal disease and can significantly reduce the success of periodontal treatment. It affects treatment outcomes in several ways:

• Reduced blood flow to the gums slows healing
• Weakened immune response makes it harder to fight infection
• Greater bone loss and deeper gum pockets are more common in smokers
• Masking of symptoms (smokers often have less gum bleeding, hiding disease severity)

Patients who smoke typically experience slower healing and poorer long-term results from periodontal disease treatment. Quitting smoking greatly improves the success of treatment and overall gum health.

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is a progressive condition that can be categorized into different stages based on the severity of the disease and the extent of damage to the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. The stages of periodontal disease are typically classified as follows:

1. Gingivitis: Gingivitis is the mildest form of gum disease and is characterised by inflammation of the gums caused by plaque and bacteria buildup along the gumline. Symptoms of gingivitis may include red, swollen, and tender gums, bleeding during brushing or flossing, and bad breath. Gingivitis is reversible with professional dental cleanings and improved oral hygiene practices.

2. Early periodontitis: In this stage, the inflammation and infection spread from the gums to the supporting structures of the teeth, including the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. Early periodontitis is characterised by pockets (4mm) forming between the gums and teeth, leading to further plaque and bacteria accumulation. Treatment at this stage may involve scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) to remove plaque and tartar from below the gumline.

3. Moderate periodontitis: As periodontal disease progresses, the pockets between the gums and teeth deepen (5mm+), and the bone supporting the teeth may start to deteriorate. Moderate periodontitis is characterised by increased gum recession, tooth mobility, and potential tooth loss if left untreated. Treatment may involve more extensive scaling and root planing, antibiotic therapy, and possibly surgical interventions to address the damage.

4. Advanced periodontitis: In the advanced stage of periodontal disease, there is significant destruction of the bone and tissues supporting the teeth, leading to severe gum recession, tooth mobility, and potential tooth loss. Advanced periodontitis may also be associated with systemic health issues, as the bacteria from the infected gums can enter the bloodstream. Treatment for advanced periodontitis may involve more aggressive interventions, such as gum surgery, bone grafting, or tooth extraction.

It is important to seek prompt treatment and regular dental care to prevent the progression of periodontal disease and maintain the health of your gums and teeth. Your dental professional can assess the severity of your gum disease and recommend an appropriate treatment plan based on your individual needs.