Healthy gums are the foundation for healthy teeth for life. At Stella Maris Dental

We are thoroughly committed to helping you achieve healthy teeth and gums for life.

Although gum disease is very common; it is commoner than the common cold, it is not inevitable. It is preventable.

What is Gum Disease

Gum disease or periodontal disease (advanced gum disease) occurs when plaque is allowed to build up and mature around the necks of teeth, above the gum line, below the gum line and in between the teeth. Plaque is 99% destructive bacteria.

The bacteria contained in mature plaque produces toxins which cause the gums and supporting tissues around the tooth to become inflamed. Inflammation is the body’s first line of defence against these toxins and results in extra blood being sent to the gums which can make them red and swollen. There is usually little or no pain at this stage and one is often unaware of the problem. If the plaque continues to remain on the teeth it will harden to form tartar (also known as calculus) and this can only be removed professionally as it is very, very hard and sticky.

Typical signs of early gum disease are:

• Red, swollen gums.
• Bleeding gums – when brushing or biting firm foods such as apples.
• Halitosis (Bad Breath).
• Bad taste.
• Sometimes pain and discomfort when brushing.

If plaque and tartar remain on the teeth the supporting tissues around the teeth will eventually become so damaged that pockets (separation of the gum from the tooth surface) will form around the teeth and eventually the teeth will fall out.

Typical signs of advanced gum disease (periodontitis) are:

• Loose Teeth
• Larger spaces between teeth
• Teeth that have drifted
• Receding gums (long in the tooth)
• Pain and discomfort when eating
• Periodontal abscesses (can be very painful).

Treatment of Gum Disease

Stage One – The Assessment.

Upon visiting the dentist an assessment and evaluation will be made of the health of your gums and your susceptibility to gum disease and the dentist may refer you to the Hygienist. Radiographs (X-Rays) are normally needed to help diagnose extent of gum disease as they help evaluate the amount of bone support that is lost around the teeth.

The Hygienist

The hygienist specialises in helping you keep your gums healthy and she will do a full evaluation of your gum health. This includes:

• Measuring & recording how many teeth have plaque or tartar on them
• Measuring & recording gum areas that are bleeding and inflamed
• Measuring & recording gum pockets
• Measuring & recording how many teeth are loose.

The Hygienist will then ask you:

• How frequently you brush your teeth

How you clean the spaces in between your teeth, what do you use and how often. This is very important.

Your Responsibility

Most patients brush regularly, twice a day, but always miss the same areas while keeping other teeth very clean. It is vital that the hygienist helps you with your technique as the more plaque you can remove at home the more successful your treatment will be.

You are responsible to clean daily the areas that you can reach, mainly;

• Above the gum line, with your tooth brush.
• In between the teeth, with the Tepe brushes or dental floss.

Our Responsibility

• To clean below the gum line and in the deep pockets where you cannot reach.
• To clean above the gum line where plaque has hardened into tartar and is impossible for you to remove.
• To clean areas in between the teeth and those hard to reach areas that are therefore easy to miss.

The hygienist will very carefully remove any tartar and bacterial plaque off your teeth. She will then polish them leaving them very smooth and shiny so discouraging the bacteria from collecting again on the tooth surfaces.

On subsequent regular visits the hygienist will do the same measurements as above and discuss with you whether there has been any improvement or further decline in gum health. She will again carry out scaling and polishing where necessary and check your cleaning techniques.

Curing Gum Disease

You cannot cure gum disease but you can keep it under proper control. There is not a ‘one off’ treatment. Working closely with your hygienist will mean that gum disease can be successfully managed and your mouth can return to a more healthy stable state. You will need to attend for hygiene visits regularly but you will also need your hygienist to review your home cleaning routine.

The better your home care routine the more success you will achieve with your treatment.

We normally see you once every 3 months. Meanwhile, in between hygienists’ visits, you are responsible for your mouth. So in principal you can help yourself more than we can help you!

The job of managing gum disease is very much a team work and here at Stella Maris Dental we will consistently work on your home care plan while delivering excellent quality treatment. So don’t be surprised if we spend some of your appointment time discussing your cleaning methods & skills and explaining the health level and status of your gums.

Factors affecting Gum Disease

Gum disease can have a rapid onset or a very long and slow onset, but patients who smoke, or patients who have been ill or stressed and have had their immune system suppressed are more at risk. That risk is then increased by a poor level of daily plaque removal. We will discuss your personal oral health with you and discuss your lifestyle and try to help you manage the risks that may be present. Do not be surprised if we ask you about your smoking, dietary habits or general health status at your visits. All this information helps us to make the right diagnosis and provide you with the most appropriate treatment.

So what is in it for you, the patient?

Healthy gums = Fresh breath. No bleeding on brushing. Comfortable teeth and gums. Firm teeth. Teeth for life. Confident smile. Enjoy eating again.

We are here to help you

We hope that you are satisfied with your treatment at Stella Maris Dental. We always strive to deliver the best and most up-to-date treatments available in an unhurried and professional environment. On occasions we may need to increase your appointment times or the frequency of your hygiene visits as appropriate. This will be explained to you and your approval sought before booking your next professional appointment.

If you have any queries, concerns, or problems please do not hesitate to discuss them with your dentist, your hygienist, or the practice manager.

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