Periodontal Treatments

We recommend a scale and polish every six months for all of our patients. At these appointments we will carefully remove hard deposits of tartar (calculus) and show you how to stop it reforming using the latest in oral hygiene aids. Thorough and frequent brushing, flossing and/or use of interdental brushes are of vital importance to your oral health.

Gum disease is an infection of the tissues surrounding the teeth. It is caused by poor oral hygiene and a buildup of plaque and tartar. Patients with medical conditions causing reduced immunity and smokers are more prone to gum disease. Infection leads to red, swollen and tender areas which bleed easily. Bleeding gums have been linked with a number of health risks including heart disease, diabetes and stroke so it is crucial to identify and treat it as early as possible.

The treatment for gum disease is careful removal of tartar by your dentist and improved oral hygiene(brushing and flossing) with ongoing monitoring and screening.

Periodontal disease occurs when gum disease is prolonged and pockets form between the roots and the gums where calculus and bacteria culminate. If untreated, teeth may become loose and require extraction.

It is difficult to repair the damage which has been done by periodontal disease and often it is a struggle to stop or slow its progress. Prevention is better than cure and regular check ups and scaling and polishing can often avoid prolonged and lengthy treatment in the future.